Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right hand injury to include a fracture of the right 5th metacarpal, as there was no evidence that the current degenerative arthritic changes and degenerative joint disease were related to the in-service fracture.

The veteran's peripheral neuralgia and liver problem are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected erythropoietic protoporphyria.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracic spine disability was reopened and granted, while the claims for compensable ratings for residual scars on both knees were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition or disorder is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the nature of any current dental conditions and their relationship to his reported in-service injury.

The veteran's grandchild, P.R.P., may not be recognized as the veteran's child for VA purposes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for perforation of the left tympanic membrane was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The appeal for an effective date earlier than March 9, 1989, for the award of a 100 percent disability evaluation for service-connected psychotic disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder and remanded the claim for an increased evaluation for osteomyelitis of teeth 23, 24 and 25.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU entitlement was denied as there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected schizophrenia within one year prior to June 24, 2004.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is related to service, specifically herbicide exposure.

The claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, as well as for a spouse who requires regular aid and attendance, must be remanded to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a traumatic left hand injury to include left middle finger and ring finger is being remanded for further development.

The appeal for a higher rating was denied as the veteran's service-connected cystic lesion of the left femoral head did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right hip, also claimed as status-post right hip replacement, finding no evidence that the condition began during service or within one year of discharge from service.

The Board granted the appellant's claim for eligibility as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she met the continuous cohabitation requirement despite a separation due to the veteran's misconduct.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of educational assistance benefits for two CFA licensing and certification examinations taken in December 2003 and June 2004 was denied because the application was filed more than one year after the exams were taken.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for cancer of the epiglottis and neck, finding no evidence that VA treatment caused additional disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to obtain additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chorioretinitis of the right eye was denied because his visual acuity in the right eye could be corrected to 20/30, and there was no evidence of active pathology.