Other conditions decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issue of payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses will be addressed in accordance with the new scheduling.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for herpetic keratitis of the right eye and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claim is denied as there is no objective evidence of an injury in service.

The veteran's legitimate child, who is now married, was not found eligible for VA death pension benefits as a helpless child due to the appellant being over 18 years old and currently married at the time of filing the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death, eligibility for VA non-service-connected death pension benefits, and entitlement to accrued benefits due to lack of legal merit under the applicable laws.

The Board determined that the veteran's myalgia symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating of 40 percent. The claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the veteran needed such assistance.

The veteran is not entitled to retroactive compensation for his service-connected right tibia nonunion fracture residuals prior to October 30, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining eligibility for reimbursement under Chapter 17 of the U.S.C.A.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for VA healthcare due to a lack of qualifying service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer condition and a lung disorder, finding no current competent medical evidence of record supporting these claims.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's cause of death is related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and provide a medical opinion regarding the primary nature of the cancer diagnoses.

The VAMC denied the veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the VA healthcare system due to his being in Priority Group 8 and not having service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

For arthritis of the right hand prior to September 4, 2001, a compensable evaluation was denied.,For arthritis of the left hand prior to September 4, 2001, a compensable evaluation was denied.,For arthritis of the right hand after September 4, 2001, an increased evaluation to 10% was granted.,For arthritis of the left hand after September 4, 2001, an increased evaluation to 10% was granted.

The Board denied service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand and left hands as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to the veteran's in-service hepatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 27, 2003, for a grant of service connection for residuals of a laceration and surgical repair of the left extensor pollicis longus is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for scarring prior to July 2003 and a compensable evaluation thereafter, finding that the scar was well healed and asymptomatic.

The veteran's service-connected right knee retropatellar femoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinomata, and squamous cell carcinoma was denied by the RO. The current effective date is June 27, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the respiratory disease that caused death to service. New evidence did not establish a new and material link.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as vitiligo, is not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.