Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's postoperative residuals of septoplasty and rhinoplasty are currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow and hand disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service medical records and personnel records.

The Board found that the overpayment of $14,140 in pension benefits was valid and denied the veteran's appeal.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal because his requests for waiver of overpayment were not timely filed within 180 days after notification letters were sent.

The appellant is not entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran for purposes of VA dependency and indemnity compensation.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to his service in the Philippine forces under a military order of the President dated July 26, 1941. The claim is denied as there is no factual basis for accrued benefits since the veteran did not file any claims during his lifetime. Service connection for cause of death was also denied because there was no evidence linking the stomach ulcer to service.

The Board denied the claim for an initial noncompensable evaluation for a heart murmur, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to a period of AWOL exceeding 180 days. As this constitutes a bar to VA benefits, the appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot bunionectomy/hallux valgus and bone spur, effective from July 1, 1995. The appellant is currently assigned a noncompensable disability rating for each condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right chest shell fragment wound residuals including pneumothorax residuals is being remanded due to insufficient examination in the original decision and additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current residuals of burn scars of the right knee, and therefore, a compensable initial rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for which service connection may be granted, and there is no evidence showing an acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder, finding that there was no causal relationship between his military service and his current condition. The RO had previously denied this claim in January 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the correct diagnosis and appropriate rating for his gastrointestinal disorder, cholecystitis.

The Board determined that the veteran's chronic acquired skin disorder was incurred in active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found no nexus between the veteran's current chronic liver disease and his service, including hepatitis A. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, brain metastases and adenocarcinoma of the lung, were not attributable to his military service. The appellant did not provide evidence showing a connection between her husband's exposure to herbicides during service and his development of cancer.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address his symptoms and the nature of any scar formation or other similar problems as a result of the service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral ankle pain, including arthritis, as there is no evidence of a current disability and no link to active military service.