Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran's right arm disability was initially rated as 10 percent prior to June 23, 2008 and increased to 20 percent from that date. The claim is pending for a higher rating.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to pancreatic cancer, finding no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded for additional development.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the claim of service connection for a collapsed left lung to be reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left elbow injury residuals do not warrant a higher disability rating, and his claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to gastric and/or esophageal cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant did not have qualifying military service to meet the requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a pulmonary disability as the result of disease or injury incurred during his active military service.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by limited leg flexion to no worse than 45 degrees and pain, does not warrant a higher initial rating. The RO assigned the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.

The veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for his right thumb injury is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of service-connected disabilities for the left index, middle fingers, or right thumb. The veteran's STRs do not contain any records of fractures to these fingers during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and fibromyalgia. The veteran's claim for reopening the low back disability was granted, but the claim for service connection remained denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right eye cataract, finding that the current visual acuity does not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for service-connected costochondritis, finding that the veteran's disability is manifested by pain, tenderness and fatigability of Muscle Group XXI.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a sleep disorder or a nervous condition. The initial rating for his shoulder disability is also denied.

The veteran's claim for treatment in the VA health care system without a co-payment requirement is being remanded due to insufficient financial information and potential issues with hardship.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence relating the veteran's death to his period of service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. However, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's service-connected right thumb scar and his death from hepatoma.

The veteran died in 1985, and the appellant filed for educational benefits under Chapter 35 DEA Program. However, her period of eligibility has expired due to age limits and she does not meet any legal criteria for an extension.