Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder/mass was denied. His request for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability was granted, but not to the highest possible rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of umbilical hernia and right inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected onychomycosis.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine if his penile deformity was caused by VA medical treatment and whether it was due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left leg varicose veins is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for Crohn's disease, but the evidence does not establish a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a grant of service connection for synovitis of the Achilles tendons is dismissed as her claim was granted with an effective date of August 15, 2002.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as she did not file her claim within one year of her step-father's death and was not a dependent child at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot gunshot wound are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5310. The disability includes amputation of the second toe and chronic pain that limits his ability to walk and stand.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his claim for service connection for motion sickness, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's death was not related to his military service, and he did not have qualifying service for VA pension benefits. Therefore, the appellant is not eligible for VA death pension or non-service-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's report of unreimbursed medical expenses paid from January through December 2007 may not be used to reduce her countable income for the period from February 14, 2008 through February 13, 2009.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as her deceased husband did not have service with the U.S. Armed Forces and therefore is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's dementia, which was likely due to a head injury sustained during World War II, played a causative role in his death. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment from the 'Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund' due to a lack of qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as determined by the National Personnel Records Center.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to establish basic eligibility for legal entitlement to VA benefits, including a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. The denial was based on the lack of evidence showing qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service for the purpose of obtaining a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board found that the Veteran's urinary urgency and hesitancy did not have its onset in active service or within one year of active service, and there is no indication of a medical nexus between his condition and his military service or his service-connected low back disability. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for anemia and/or thalassemia, finding that the Veteran's in-service anemia was temporarily potentiated by a viral infection and resolved prior to discharge. The Board also found that the current diagnosis of thalassemia clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not permanently aggravated therein.