Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The issue is now on the merits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for gout, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, as well as claims for accrued benefits based on post-traumatic stress disorder and residuals of nosebleeds. The Board found that there was no evidence linking any current conditions to service or showing they caused the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The VA determined that the appellant's deceased spouse did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, the appellant is denied basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his left thumb partial amputation residuals and whether service connection should be granted. The issue of an increased evaluation for his left (minor) third, fourth, and fifth finger partial amputation residuals will also be addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of malaria, finding no current disability and noting that treatment during service resolved with treatment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination by an ophthalmologist to evaluate the current level of severity of his service-connected right eye disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for pilonidal cysts and has granted service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa, as manifested by pilonidal cysts.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current lower extremity disability to exposure to cold during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's application for VA benefits because her deceased husband did not have qualifying service with the United States Armed Forces, as determined by the United States Service Department.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's thoracic spine disability and the current level of his service-connected heart valve replacement.

The veteran's claims for service connection for loss of bladder and bowel control are being remanded due to the need for further development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured left index finger do not warrant an initial compensable evaluation, as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The VA denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected deformity of the right foot with cicatrices, anklyosis of the tarsal and metatarsal bones and limitation of motion (right foot deformity) and osteomyelitis of the right foot. The evidence did not show an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has determined that the October 1946 decision, which evaluated the service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's claim for revision based on CUE in this decision is denied.

The veteran's application for VA educational assistance under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code was denied because he did not elect to receive Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits prior to October 31, 2001. The veteran had participated in the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) and made contributions towards his VEAP account but later received a full refund of those contributions. He requested a waiver of the deadline for converting from VEAP to MGIB, but this was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the dorsal aspect of the left hand between the thumb and index finger, with limitation of motion of the joints of the thumb.

The VA denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility from June 12 to June 14, 2003. The veteran appealed this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which resulted in severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, warrants a 30 percent initial evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.