Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including a more definitive medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's chest pain.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected groin rash, jaw disability, and left eye disability were denied as there was no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating under the old schedular criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's neck condition was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral metatarsalgia with callosities is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the VA has granted an increased rating to this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right eye disorder as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence linking the eye disorder to his diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands, elbows, and feet as secondary to his service-connected fracture at the mid-shaft of the left clavicle due to lack of a chronic disability resulting from that injury.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, finding no new and material evidence since the final June 1997 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting right ear perforation was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for residuals of cold injury to both her right and left feet, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA determined that the veteran's right humerus fracture and associated conditions do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for waiver of overpayment in disability compensation benefits due to fault on his part and lack of undue hardship, but found that repayment would not defeat the purpose of the benefit.

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for her service-connected Raynaud's syndrome, which was initially rated at 20 percent and later increased to 40 percent. The appeal remains before the Board as the RO did not assign the maximum possible rating.

The veteran's broken right arm requires regular aid and attendance, which impacts her special monthly pension claim. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant VA treatment records and arrange for a medical examination.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have additional disability as a result of VA medical care related to a partial amputation of the right foot. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected multiple joint arthritis is being reviewed to determine if it contributed to his death from pneumonia. The case has been remanded for additional review of the evidence, including a statement from the veteran's private physician.

The Board granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) effective from December 17, 2004. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her right and left snapping hip syndromes, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for improved death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable rate, despite reporting medical expenses.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits other than health care under Chapter 17, and denied his claim.