Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board either at the RO or via videoconferencing technology.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for a scotoma of the right eye disability, finding that it is likely incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded due to discrepancies in estimated radiation exposure and need for further evaluation by an independent expert.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for improved monthly death pension based on the need for aid and attendance, granted effective from February 1, 2006.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a left eye disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's right foot drop.

The Board found that the veteran's current limitation of motion and pain on palpation in his hands are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from the injury sustained during service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the second and third fingers of both hands was denied.

The veteran's right fifth toe disability, resulting from an arthroplasty performed during service, has been rated at 10% since November 5, 2003.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not establish service connection for mitral valve prolapse, as no medical findings or diagnosis were noted during either period of service or within one year after each period. The current diagnosis was not present or detectable during service and is not etiologically related to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's muscle weakness condition (PFK deficiency) existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service beyond normal progress.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the veteran to report for a VA examination, and the development ordered in the remand has not been completed.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected Achilles tendonitis and a combined 100 percent disability evaluation, finding that she did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder during service or active duty for training. The veteran's pre-existing anxiety condition was aggravated by in-service stressors, but the presence of a physical disorder manifested by breathing problems was not established.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a later delimiting date for his education assistance benefits under Chapter 30, finding that November 5, 2006 was the correct delimiting date based on the reduction of the time he was not on active duty between January 1977 and June 1985.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's arthritis of his left hand and right hand are related to service or carpal tunnel syndrome. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) caused by service, carpal tunnel syndrome, or both.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tongue and mouth cancer, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence submitted since the August 2000 rating decision is new but not material in relation to the claim.