Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for right heel spurs and bilateral pes cavus with hammertoes, as well as secondary service connection for left knee and low back disorders. The veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection and assigned a 20 percent disability rating effective June 14, 2004. The veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for residual surgical scars of the right ulna.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of beriberi, malaria, dysentery, arthritis, a condition manifested by fever and a condition manifested by colds has been dismissed as no Substantive Appeal was filed within the required time frame.

The Board denied service connection for otitis media and found that the veteran's TDIU was not warranted earlier than October 20, 1994. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for CHAMPVA benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of qualifying service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hand, wrist, thumb, and left great toe disabilities due to a lack of current residuals from in-service incidents.

The Board has granted a compensable, 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected otitis media of the left ear, finding that the criteria are met based on recurring active infection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a finding of an in-service eye injury, leading to service connection for bilateral eye disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for cause of death due to rectal cancer, finding no new and material evidence. The cause of death was attributed to a gastrointestinal disorder during service, but not related to herbicide exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's Burkitt's lymphoma, which caused his death, is related to his military service. The appellant claims that the cause of her husband's death should be considered as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's uterine fibroids with dysfunctional bleeding do not warrant a higher initial evaluation than the currently assigned 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 15, 2003 for the veteran's 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected fistula in ano with impairment of sphincter. The veteran originally filed his claim on that date.

The Board found that the veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome, including Baker's cyst and lateral meniscus tear in her right knee, does not warrant a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises due to fault on his part in not informing VA about his incarceration, which led to continued receipt of benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for syncope (claimed as loss of balance) is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore is not eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's left inguinal hernia existed prior to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of rating varicose veins and service connection for a spinal condition are pending.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board is dismissing it.