Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's reactive airway disease, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. James Community Hospital in November 2001, finding that prior authorization was not obtained and that the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim is being remanded to the RO for consideration of new and material evidence regarding his injuries from February 16, 1992. The RO must also consider whether other disabilities satisfy the basic eligibility requirements for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral eye disability, skin rash, foot cramps and sore joints, and loss of appetite and a blood disorder are not service connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals of frozen feet, finding no new and material evidence presented.

The veteran's fractures of the nose and jaw have been rated as noncompensably disabling until May 19, 2004 when they were upgraded to a 30% rating. The current status is that both conditions are now compensable.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of concussion and otitis media of the right ear are rated at 10 percent each, effective from March 29, 1995. The claims for increased ratings were granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation due to functional loss and lack of equivalent limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected chronic back pain, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's rectal cancer was not related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) regarding service connection for a spinal disorder and restoration of service connection for restrictive lung disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear diagnosis and lack of medical evidence linking the current nasal condition to service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for venous insufficiency of the right lower leg, which is more than the current 20 percent rating. The evidence shows persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema without ulceration.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that an overpayment of educational assistance benefits in the amount of $331.16 was properly created and denied the veteran's appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left great toe disability and left foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to January 31, 1997, or a separate compensable evaluation for surgical scarring. The appellant's service-connected disabilities were found not to combine to prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant may be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse based on her continuous cohabitation with him from their marriage in September 1972 until his death in February 1995.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a hearing. The veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to incomplete medical records from Delta Community College Disability Student Services.

The Board has determined that the right lower leg disability manifested by atrophy was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.