Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hip bursitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his claims for secondary service connection to his left hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional documents that would confirm his rehabilitation status and entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability evaluation for TMJ discomfort, left as residual from extraction of teeth 16 and 17 effective May 15, 2000. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is claimed to be due to service, specifically the aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The veteran's medical expenses for a nonservice-connected disorder from September 13, 2004 to September 21, 2004 at St. Cloud Hospital were denied as the claim did not meet the requirements for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination. The veteran's nervous condition is being evaluated, but service connection will be decided based on the merits of the claim rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board determined that the appellant's spouse had no qualifying military service for VA benefits purposes, and therefore denied basic eligibility for VA disability benefits.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied because he did not serve during a period of war.

The Board has determined that the veteran's in-service fall caused his current cerebellar ataxia and episodic ataxia subtype, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at non-VA facilities due to a fracture of the right femur, which is not service-connected, has been denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's pre-existing strabismus was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a bilateral foot disorder in March 1997, finding no evidence that his disability was caused by VA treatment. The veteran did not appeal this decision. The most recent supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued in June 2007 and included additional evidence pertaining to gastritis. This claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim that he may be recognized as the helpless child of a deceased veteran. The case was remanded due to issues with obtaining service personnel records from NPRC.

The Board found no current respiratory disability related to military service and denied the veteran's claim. The testicular disability issue was remanded for further development.

The Board found that the appellant's deceased husband had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, he does not qualify for VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected partial subluxation of the right sternoclavicular joint with traumatic arthritis, effective from April 14, 2005.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for postoperative residuals of a right Achilles tendon rupture and residuals of an ingrown toenail of the right great toe.

The veteran's son is granted nonservice-connected burial benefits due to a pending claim for VA pension and aid and attendance at the time of his death.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of January 20, 2003 for the assignment of separate 20 percent evaluations for cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities.