Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Crohn's disease, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher initial rating for TMJ dysfunction prior to March 23, 2005 and denies the claim.

The Board found no evidence of a left eye disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated medical evaluations and records, as well as a request for private medical records from Dr. A.G.S.

The Board found that the veteran's service medical records do not reveal any complaint, diagnosis, or treatment for an eye condition. The veteran was diagnosed with a left eye condition more than ten years after separation from service and there is no evidence associating his current left eye condition to any injury or condition in service. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye condition is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right elbow disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The appellant's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left eye disorder or dental disorder that is related to his active service. As such, he cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse due to inconsistencies in her statements regarding her marriage to the veteran.

The VA granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective October 16, 2003. The veteran's claim was initially denied but later granted with the current rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and evidence, as well as further adjudication of the veteran's claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's dysthymic disorder, which is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for amputation of the right leg due to poor circulation, and thus denied the claim.

The RO reduced the veteran's disability evaluation from 50 percent to 30 percent for his service-connected right hip replacement. The Board found this reduction improper because it was not based on a VA examination showing material improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disability and granted it, finding new evidence that is material to the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits as he was not in receipt of a 100% disability rating for eight continuous years prior to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to November 20, 2004, and thus denying the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis effective April 25, 2005, the date of the veteran's request to reopen his claim. The condition was previously denied in August 1986 due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.