Other conditions decisions — 2007

The veteran's residuals of a left index finger laceration do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Togus, Maine canceled the veteran's fee-basis ID card due to medical feasibility for his needs at an available VA medical facility. The case is being remanded for a Supplemental Statement of the Case that includes applicable laws and regulations.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic neck strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a skin disorder or numbness in hands and feet that was incurred during service, including due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and her motion to reschedule. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing before a traveling Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected residuals of fragment wounds have been denied as the evidence does not show that they are more than currently assigned.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the VA's decision to grant an increased apportionment of $300 per month for E.A., the veteran's spouse, was proper. The decision considered the veteran's financial situation and the need to support his child.

The Board has determined that the veteran's celiac disease is reasonably shown to have had its origins during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a finding that the appellant did not live continuously with the veteran from the date of marriage until his death.

The Board found that the veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lichenoid dermatitis. The claim for increased rating of lichenoid dermatitis is remanded.

The veteran had no pending claims at the time of his death, and thus does not meet the legal criteria for accrued benefits.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred in April 2004 at St. Petersburg General Hospital is granted as VA facilities were not feasibly available to provide the care.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of his wife as a dependent was denied because there was no error in applying governing law and regulations, and he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability due to lack of medical evidence showing such a condition existed during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disability manifested by lightheadedness and dizziness with fatigue and exhaustion, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected atrial fibrillation due to scarlet fever.

The veteran's mental impairment with headaches, associated with cerebral vasculitis, is currently rated at 50% disabling. The rating has not been higher due to the lack of more severe symptoms such as flattened affect or impaired judgment.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right hand tremor was granted and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from October 19, 1998. The appeal continues as the maximum allowable rating under applicable criteria is not yet reached.

The Board has determined that the veteran's loss of vision is service-connected due to optic nerve drusen, which was initially manifested during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for food addiction, compensation purposes for a dental disorder, and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of a chronic acquired psychiatric disease or any other diagnosed condition related to overeating behavior.