Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining clinical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's request to extend her delimiting period for education assistance benefits under chapter 30, finding that there was no medical evidence showing a disability prevented her from initiating or completing an educational program.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of multiple joints (other than the right great toe) to include as a residual manifestation of gouty arthritis, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to the veteran's period of service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication of issues related to the validity of a debt created due to reduction in benefits, appropriateness of collection methods for overpayment, and entitlement to waiver of recovery of overpayment. The effective date question will also be addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for a left hip disability, and service connection for Guillain-Barre Syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and consideration of new regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left ankle injury, including traumatic arthritis. However, it denied service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder, finding new and material evidence. The claim for a psychiatric disorder is granted as it was first manifested in service. The claim for a headache disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the etiology of any foot disorders found and whether they are related to service.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residual effects of a carotid endarterectomy performed in June 1996, but the VA medical records from that hospitalization are missing and need to be obtained.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting ulcers and spastic stomach did not worsen during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of fractured left zygoma with deviated septum and antrostomy, finding that there was no evidence of significant neurological impairment to the face or of deviated septum with significant interference with breathing space or airflow.

The Board found that the veteran's jaw disability was not caused by VA care, and thus did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, submassive hepatic necrosis and probable steatosis, was caused by an undiagnosed illness incurred in service. As such, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of idiopathic anaphylaxis with recurrent angioedema do not warrant a higher rating, as they are currently evaluated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 7118 for angioneurotic edema. The maximum evaluation available under this code is 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, myocardial infarction, was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected condition.

The veteran is requesting an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever, currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has not considered all available evidence and the veteran's current symptomatology related to this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right leg and left elbow disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to June 13, 1997.,The effective date remains at June 13, 1997, as this is the earliest date on which a claim for increased benefits was received.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other relevant laws, regulations, and procedures.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that there was no evidence of permanent worsening during service and that any current issues with his eyes were not related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear disorder, including postoperative residuals of atticotomy, antropotomy, tympanoplasty, and ossicular reconstruction, was incurred in active service due to a mortar blast injury. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.