Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected callosities of the right and left feet are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no further increase in rating granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear nature of the Veteran's condition and whether it is related to or aggravated by her service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have a pending claim with VA at the time of his death, and therefore, there is no basis for accrued benefits. The appeal must be denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice provided to the appellant regarding her DIC claim based on a previously service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective August 19, 2008. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cardiovascular disability, including reserve duty. The Board has requested verification of the exact dates and types of service during which he contends his condition was incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in connection with muscle damage to Muscle Groups XIII, XIV, and XV of the right thigh were denied. The VA examinations did not reveal any compensable limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disorder is related to service or any pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development. The claim for a higher initial evaluation for impaired vision in the right eye will be reviewed and possibly referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral eye disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for stress reaction of right foot and metatarsalgia of the right foot. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's service as a recognized guerrilla does not qualify him for VA pension benefits, and the Manila RO properly terminated all future pension benefits effective November 1, 2004.

The Board found that the appellant and the Veteran's marriage did not meet the time requirements for VA DIC benefits due to it occurring approximately 30 years after service, with no children born of the marriage.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral macular degenerative central serous retinopathy, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The IME opinion supports a diagnosis of chronic idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) and concludes that the Veteran's eye disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the loss of service treatment records and a need for further examination to determine the etiology of his right index finger deformity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of cold injuries to his hands and feet as a result of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's myasthenia gravis is related to his service, including potential Gulf War exposure. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service records and obtaining missing medical records. The Veteran's claims for HIV service connection and basic eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's current 30 percent evaluation for history of diplopia with associated right eye defective vision is upheld, but a separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for bullous keratopathy in the right eye.

The Veteran is seeking VA compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right foot injury, but his appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.