Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically multiple falls and head injuries resulting from those falls. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected thoracic spine disability, effective from December 1, 2002. The veteran's application for an increased rating for residuals of amebic dysentery with irritable colon is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bradycardia with syncopal episodes with pacemaker implantation is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's application for VA health care was denied because he did not submit the application prior to January 17, 2003, and as a Category 8 enrollee with income exceeding the geographic-means test, he is not eligible for VA health care.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a private medical opinion from a VA physician who treated the veteran at Chillicothe VA Medical Center. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing eye disorders did not undergo an increase in disability or were otherwise aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye condition existed prior to service and did not increase in disability during his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher initial rating than 40 percent.

The VA has determined that a compensable disability rating for the veteran's stable post fracture of the left fibula is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected traumatic amputation of the distal phalanx of the left middle finger, finding that her disability manifested by loss of approximately two-thirds of the length of the distal phalanx did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disability in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for right fifth digit Boutonniere deformity with flexion contracture was denied by the Board.

The veteran's heart disability, which includes mitral valve prolapse with premature ventricular contractions, is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO granted an increased rating to the current 30 percent from the original date of service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for left-sided hearing impairment and did not reopen the claim of service connection for right-sided hearing impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability affecting his hands and feet. The evidence submitted since the last final denial supports this reopening, but further development is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hammertoes and calluses of the feet, finding new evidence that supports a finding of in-service onset or aggravation. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hydrocephalus was incurred during his active military service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for blood spots on his right upper arm, finding that there was no evidence linking this condition to his military service.