Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's initial rating for valvular regurgitation with PVCs was granted at a noncompensable level from April 15, 1997 to January 11, 1998. From January 12, 1998 to October 15, 2000, the Veteran received a rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for the purposes of obtaining the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, and therefore legal entitlement to this benefit is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn's disease is being remanded due to inadequate rationale provided on VA examination and the need for a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder other than PFB was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral posterior uveitis, previously evaluated as an eye disorder due to toxoplasmic chorioretinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a neurological examination to determine if the Veteran has objective indications of nerve symptoms and their etiology.

The Board denied the claims for higher evaluations for residuals of right clavicle fracture, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to July 11, 2003 and from September 29, 2003. From July 11, 2003, a 30 percent evaluation was granted.

The Board found no evidence of cold weather injuries to the appellant's feet during service and concluded that there is no nexus between any current foot disabilities and service. The appellant has not been diagnosed with residuals of a cold injury in either foot.

The Veteran's condition was deemed non-emergent, but the Board found that his belief in an emergent condition was reasonable given his history and symptoms. The closest VA facility was not feasibly available due to distance and travel time constraints.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) and Chapter 32 (Veterans Education Assistance Program) were denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the residuals of an injury to Muscle Group XVII as a result of a gunshot wound to the buttocks was denied by the Board, with no current muscle or functional disability found.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including service treatment records from USS Intreped and private treatment records prior to 1995.

The Veteran was recognized as a former prisoner of war, but his cause of death (acute dehydration due to gastroenteritis and Koch's pulmonary disorder) is not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service stressor. The Veteran's mood disorder and pain disorder are also not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his suicide to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of anal fissure and pruritus ani are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disorder is not service-connected, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 has been denied as the proximate cause of his disability was not due to VA fault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia, including as secondary to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus, is denied as a matter of law because hyperlipidemia is not considered a ratable disability.

The Veteran's right thigh shrapnel wound residuals have not manifested a visible scar, limitation of motion or function of the affected bodily part (right thigh muscle group XV), or painful motion of the affected bodily part. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating has been denied.