Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim is related to macroglobulinemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in November 1998. The RO reopened and granted DIC benefits based on new evidence received in February 1999, assigning an effective date of February 23, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a sleep disability as the result of disease or injury incurred during his active military service.

The veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating has been dismissed due to his death prior to active consideration by the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected skin condition, which included verruca vulgaris and fungus diseases, did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent due to the lack of symptoms affecting more than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas, nor systemic therapy involving corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs for a duration of six weeks or more during the past year.

The case is being remanded to ensure that the contested claims procedures have been followed. The appellant and veteran need take no action until otherwise notified.

The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking the death to active service. The Board upheld this decision, making it final.

The veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his basic delimiting period expiring before filing for benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's left index finger disability, which is already rated at its maximum of 10 percent due to limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on additional symptoms or functional loss.

The case is being remanded for the appellant to appear before a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for degenerative disk disease at L5-S1 from back injury, as the evidence did not show it warranted more than a 20% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's baldness was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for baldness.

The veteran's overpayment of $6,220.00 was denied because the fault lay with him for not reporting changes in his dependents' status.

The veteran is seeking service connection for vertigo due to vertebro-vascular ischemia and aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), which he claims is related to his service-connected shrapnel wound injury. The case has been remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue and pharyngeal wall is being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA needs to obtain Social Security Administration disability determination letters and medical records relevant to his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's terminal stroke was unrelated to his 1953 head injury and more likely due to post-service risk factors such as age, smoking, and heart disease. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right heel disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right hand disability and a request for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for thrombocytopenia and determined that the veteran's genital warts warrant an initial compensable evaluation. The effective date of service connection for genital warts is being remanded to determine if it should be earlier than March 23, 2004.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for compliance with Vazquez-Flores requirements. The issue of an initial compensable rating for his service-connected anemia and leukopenia (neutropenia) remains pending.