Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service was less than 90 days and he did not serve during a period of war. Therefore, he does not have basic eligibility for VA pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, right foot, right leg deep venous insufficiency with ulcers, and left leg deep venous insufficiency with ulcers. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal on diabetes and hearing loss in his right ear.

The Veteran's esophagus disability (Barrett's esophagitis) is granted. Service connection for heart, prostate, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and right lower extremity sciatica are also granted with effective dates prior to July 7, 2006. The Veteran's gastritis and PTSD claims remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of basic eligibility for non-service-connected disability pension benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran's service was deemed insufficient for pension purposes due to his only service as a Philippine Scout from July 1946 to April 1949.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic myeloid leukemia was denied, and his PTSD rating remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected emphysema and service connection for a left inguinal hernia.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's dates of active and inactive duty for training (ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA). The appeal is remanded due to incomplete information on which to determine these dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his chronic gastrointestinal disability from July 1, 1961 to September 26, 1994.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that nerve damage of the left arm with resultant left fifth finger amputation was related to service. The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been manifested by no more than moderate strain and limitation of motion, without incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.

The Veteran's left temporal lipoma and thoracic spine strain were found to be incurred during service. The status of the psychiatric disorder claims is unknown.

The Veteran's current right hand disability is found to be causally related to an injury sustained during active service, and the Board grants service connection for a right hand disability affecting the right third finger.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for pain and numbness of the hands and arms, as well as his claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The appeal was also denied regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic right hip disorder, separate from the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected postoperative right inguinal hernioplasty does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder, specifically peptic ulcer disease, was not incurred during his period of service in the Merchant Marine. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral cornea disorder is not a disease or injury within the meaning of VA compensation, as it is due to congenital syphilis. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right side was denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing such a disability.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran incurred an additional right hip disability as a result of VA treatment and concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against awarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an additional right hip disability.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.