Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and this decision is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's shell fragment wound scars on his face and jaw, effective from the date of the July 2002 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits, determining that the veteran was at fault in creating the debt and that recovery would not defeat the purpose for which the benefits were intended.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability rating for psoriatic arthritis from 20% to 40%. The reduction in evaluation was not based on improvement, but rather due to a lack of clinical findings supporting the need for a higher rating.

The appellant's claims for accrued benefits as reimbursement of expenses paid in connection with her mother's last sickness were granted, and the precise amount of these benefits will be determined by the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee and granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee. The veteran's current right knee disability is considered to have originated in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for cold injury residuals of both feet is granted, as there was evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his residuals of left elbow arthroplasty, finding that the current rating is adequate given the maximum schedular rating possible under Diagnostic Code 5052.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected vascular insufficiency of the left leg is denied as the current rating of 40 percent already represents the maximum available under the applicable criteria.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a partial right salpingectomy due to an ectopic pregnancy, finding that this disability was incurred during active service and is legally permissible.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for head trauma with memory loss as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions and therefore constitutes a bar to VA benefits, except for home loan benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's subtotal gastrectomy, which was caused by medication taken to relieve pain from a service-connected right elbow and shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding no competent and probative evidence that he currently has any such disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right middle finger is remanded due to the recent grant of service connection for amputation of the distal phalanx of the right ring finger.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence showing that his current skin condition is related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that the veteran's death was caused by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a back injury and a disorder manifested by chest pain, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a dosage data and estimate for the veteran from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, based on available methodologies. The USB will consider the claim with reference to specified factors and may request an advisory medical opinion if necessary.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that no legal basis existed to award such a retroactive date.