Other conditions Board decisions

The VA denied the appellant's claim that her husband's cause of death was related to service, specifically his acute lymphocytic leukemia. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's condition to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left inguinal hernia, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for ulcers, and increased ratings for post-operative residual tender scar of the right inguinal area. The issue regarding service connection for a left inguinal hernia was not decided as it was secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia.

The veteran's overpayment of non-service-connected disability pension benefits is denied due to his willful failure to report his spouse's income, which resulted in an unfair advantage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that no earlier date could be assigned due to the lack of a valid claim prior to December 12, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his military service and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to income exceeding the statutory limits for entitlement to death pension benefits. The appellant is not entitled to VA death pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil, finding that there was no evidence linking the cancer to his active service or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, cyclothymic disorder, and insomnia. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carinomas and precancerous actinic keratoses of the skin are related to his military service, specifically due to extended sun exposure during his time in tropical regions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for discoid lupus erythematosus is granted, as there is sufficient evidence to establish chronicity of symptoms since discharge from active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the head, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that the veteran's average concentric contraction is better than 45 degrees and thus warranting only a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance, finding that he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to manage personal care functions without assistance.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for uterine fibroids with metrorrhagia since July 21, 1993.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing, and the veteran's failure to respond to the representation form. The matter will be returned to the RO for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by the claimed symptoms. The Board found that his complaints did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and a need for further development of his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected low back disability is denied as the current rating of 20 percent adequately reflects the severity of her condition.

The veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for bilateral Achilles tendonitis and residuals of burns to the left arm were granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for each condition. The rating for right Achilles tendonitis was also granted effective March 17, 2003.