Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's spine injury was incurred during service and is disabling, thus granting service connection for residuals of a spine injury.

The veteran claims service connection for Crohn's disease, but the case is remanded due to a need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis of Crohn's disease is related to stress incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a fracture to the right mandible do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned.

The VA denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that his acute myocardial infarction was related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as his service did not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet, finding that the evidence received since the May 2001 rating decision was cumulative and redundant, and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected herpes, type II is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities related to parotidectomy are being remanded for further evaluation due to his ongoing complaints and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for death pension benefits as the widow of her deceased husband, finding that the costs associated with funeral expenses were not allowable under VA regulations.

The Board found that the appellant's decedent had no qualifying military service and therefore, is not eligible for VA death benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for status post left 5th finger extensor tendon repair, finding that his disability did not warrant a higher rating based on functional impairment or limitation of motion.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses for abdominal pain treatment at Providence Alaska Medical Center is denied as there was no medical emergency requiring immediate care, and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was caused by glioblastoma multiforme, which is likely due to his exposure to hazardous chemicals during service. As a result, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to cardiovascular disability resulting from VA medical treatment in November 1987, finding that service connection is decided on the merits and not via a presumption or reopening of evidence.

The Board found that the appellant did not experience severe postoperative residuals and that surgery for his right third toe did not necessitate convalescence beyond April 30, 1995.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the residuals of left rib fractures, effective from April 17, 2003. The claims for service connection for rhinitis/sinusitis and tympanic membrane disorder remain unresolved.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the current 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right foot residuals of multiple fractures of the metatarsal bones with hammertoes, finding that assignment of an evaluation in excess of 30 percent would violate the amputation rule.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent and the effective date for service connection remains May 27, 2004.,The veteran's right shoulder disability was increased to 30 percent in July 16, 1998. The earlier effective date claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current iliotibial band syndrome and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hallux valgus and hammertoes, left foot was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.