Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected anal fissures have been found to be manifested by at least one episode of bleeding per month, with associated pain and itching. The VA has granted a compensable rating (10%) for this condition.

The Board has granted the waiver of recovery of the overpayment of death pension benefits in the amount of $25,516.00 due to the appellant's financial hardship and lack of fault on her part.

The Veteran's right trochanteric bursitis and scar were found to not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for proper VCAA notice and obtaining SSA records related to the appellant's May 1976 application for SSA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg condition and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with mechanical back pain were denied. The Veteran does not have a current bilateral leg disability, and the VA examinations did not provide sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's pituitary adenoma, right eye blindness, and gait disturbance as these conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral leg and elbow disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased evaluations of hyperbilirubinemia and right knee scars, as well as the reopening of a PTSD claim. The cervical spine condition remains unconnected to service.

The Board denied service connection for an unspecified left eye condition, finding that the Veteran's current left eye conditions (diabetic retinopathy and early cataracts) were not caused by or a result of his left jaw injury while in the military.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiac arrhythmia was first manifested during service and continues to this day, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals to the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete records, need for additional medical opinions, and potential relevance of Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of entitlement to recognition as the Veteran's helpless child.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for apportionment of her pension benefits, finding that the law and not the evidence is dispositive.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of a skin disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as difficulty breathing, is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's unit of assignment and location during service, as well as to obtain any alternative medical records that may support his claim.

The Veteran does not experience any current disability due to his claimed body numbness which could be related to active service, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further proceedings consistent with a June 2009 Joint Motion for Remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his bilateral hip conditions and service connection for a left foot disorder, finding that the evidence did not support the grant of these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and verification of extenuating circumstances.