Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral nephrocalcinosis, finding that the RO had not complied with prior remand instructions and that a new VA examination was needed to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to DIC under sections 1318 and 1151 as the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was granted in a February 2005 rating decision, rendering these claims moot.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for right true vocal cord paralysis with hoarseness and service connection for ear drum damage due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of a vision disorder as a residual of a head injury, and for a skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. The RO concluded that there is no basis in the available evidence to indicate service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current eye disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, to include as due to or manifested by conjunctivitis. The dental disability issue is remanded for clarification regarding whether it was originally filed for compensation purposes.

The Board denied an increased rating for the residual conditions of a left mandible fracture and granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD. The veteran's symptoms were found to be less severe than initially claimed, leading to denial of his request for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a right patella fracture was denied by the RO, with a final denial in February 2004. The case was remanded multiple times and ultimately denied again.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death and found that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying her entitlement to death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's congenital back disorder, characterized as a pars interarticularis defect of L5, was aggravated in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cold injury to the right and left feet, as well as a compensable evaluation for excision chalazion both upper eyelids, were denied. The claim of service connection for gout was also denied.,Service connection for residuals of a left deviated nasal septum was granted with a non-compensable evaluation effective from September 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of a total left hip replacement, finding no credible evidence linking his current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran for VA benefits purposes. The appeal for service-connected death benefits is remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to esophageal cancer, finding no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for a waiver of overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits is being remanded due to the need for more current information on his financial status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, chest pain, and abdominal disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine if the veteran developed acquired disabilities of his left eye and left foot due to VA medical or surgical treatment, and whether such disabilities were caused by fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have emphysema that is related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right little finger disability and an extension of the temporary total evaluation on account of post-surgical/other treatment necessitating convalescence beyond June 30, 2003. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a convalescence rating beyond June 2003.

The veteran's application for improved pension benefits was denied due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR). The case is being remanded for further review and consideration of the unreimbursed medical expenses reported by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's current right hand disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied his claim for service connection.