Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a skin disorder and therefore, service connection for a skin disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is unrelated to his military service and may not be presumed incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and evidence, and a need for readjudication after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits as she is over the age of 18 and does not qualify as a 'child' under VA regulations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a skin disease of the lower extremities, specifically dermatophytosis. The VA has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as further development of the record.

The veteran's service-connected right index finger distal amputation is characterized by loss of distal portion, including amputation to the base of the middle phalanx. The criteria for an increased rating of 20 percent have been met.

The Board found that the veteran did not have malnutrition, malaria, or diarrhea due to service and denied his claims.

The Board found that the veteran's payments to his live-in companion were properly considered income for pension purposes, resulting in an overpayment of $31,930.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was cardiovascular disease/ischemic stoke, which is not service-connected. The appellant's claims for accrued benefits were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected residuals, spontaneous pneumothorax was denied. The claim for TDIU benefits prior to September 24, 2003, was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 20, 2004, for a 30 percent disability rating for panic disorder. The RO found that it was factually ascertainable on February 20, 2004, that there had been an increase in severity to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there is no evidence of anemia, vomiting, hematemesis or melena. The current 20% rating adequately reflects the veteran's symptoms.

The veteran's service-connected history of malaria with splenic hematoma is not currently active, and there are no residuals that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, chronic obstructive lung disease due to tobacco abuse, was not related to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant provided additional personal statements and testimony, but the evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection and thus does not involve any conditions or exposure basis.

The Board finds insufficient evidence showing the veteran's daughter had a physical or mental disability that warrants entitlement to VA benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to turning 18 years old.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of a basal cell carcinoma excision at the right cheek pre-auricular area was denied. The Board found that prior to August 30, 2002, there were no compensable scars present. Since then, one characteristic of disfigurement is present but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.