Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for conjunctivitis, finding that there is no current medical opinion relating her current disability to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a blood clot at the left lung base do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they are asymptomatic and do not require anticoagulant therapy or surgery.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the head. As such, the claim is denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims that his disabilities involving the teeth, pelvis, arms, and right leg were caused by VA negligence or inadequate medical care in July-August 1998. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection of hip disorders are pending. The claim for an effective date earlier than February 21, 2001 for the assignment of a 40 percent disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar junction has been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell alpha thalassemia trait and its residuals, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The reasons given were that there was no medical evidence linking the condition to service and that he did not meet the minimum requirements for a TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hand stab wound residuals and right hand disorder were denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disability and bilateral pes valgoplanus. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected right elbow osteochondritis dissecans, status post arthroscopic debridement, was characterized by intermittent swelling and pain prior to March 11, 2004. The RO denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for this period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a fracture, right fibula. Prior to February 18, 2005, the disability was not rated higher than 10 percent. From February 18, 2005, it did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Waco, Texas.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if his current right foot disability can be attributed to VA medical treatment.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the appellant's claim for revocation of her forfeiture of VA benefits, thus denying the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for VA pension benefits, finding that he was imprisoned as a result of a felony conviction until August 18, 2003 and thus not entitled to any VA pension benefits during this period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence to support a claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to alleged negligence on the part of VA.

The Board found that the veteran's leukemia is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's health status during the period from November 15, 2003 to November 19, 2003 was such that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. The veteran is therefore entitled to reimbursement of emergency medical services.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities involving the right foot and thigh are evaluated at 40 percent combined, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The veteran's shrapnel wound residuals of the right forearm are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions, including shortening of the left leg, familial osteochondromas of the right heel, and bone growth of the non-dominant left thumb, were incurred in service.