Other conditions decisions — 2009

The appeal was partially granted, as the appellant is entitled to a plot or interment allowance but not to a burial benefit or death pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for cataracts secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, as it was not factually ascertainable that the disability was disabling to a compensable degree prior to February 9, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for chronic hypersensitivity to poison ivy, as there is no evidence of a current disability and no competent evidence linking the condition to service.

The motion to revise or reverse an October 5, 2007, Board decision that denied entitlement to an increased rating for schizophrenia was dismissed without prejudice to refiling.

The case is remanded for additional development, including a medical examination and opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's chest and muscle pain and systemic mycoplasma pneumonia.

The Veteran's initial rating for thoracic spine arthritis was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands and found that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the bilateral feet, as there was no evidence of a current disability associated with cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's left hemi scrotal mass is manifested by discomfort and intermittent pain; it is not manifested by renal or voiding dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy and hypertensive vascular disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected PTSD and these conditions.

The special apportionment of the Veteran's monthly compensation benefits for support of his estranged spouse and dependent children beginning on December 8, 2005 was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent neck pain, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service or any of her service-connected conditions.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The veteran's application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was denied because he is not service-connected for any disability.

The Board found that the appellant did not have qualifying military service, and therefore denied his claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and the diagnosis of cataracts.

The Veteran is not shown to have a disability manifested by chronic arthritis, excluding that rated as part of the service-connected lumbar spine condition, due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board lacks jurisdiction to review the appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a mental disorder, claimed as problems to the brain, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for a forehead laceration and a right ulnar nerve laceration.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a liver disorder was denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The appeal is remanded for additional VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's shell fragment wound, left thigh, and whether the Veteran is precluded from gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.