Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and review of records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand disability was denied. Additionally, the issue regarding the waiver of recovery of overpayment and restoration of Chapter 34 educational benefits was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals of a stroke and/or an ischemic episode, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted a higher (50 percent) evaluation for the veteran's dysthymia, effective from May 12, 1986.

The Board has granted compensation for hallux valgus of the right foot with lateral deviation of the second and third digits, but denied compensation for hip and back disabilities as secondary to this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the medical evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scars from removal of synovial cysts on his face and left lower extremity do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the old schedular criteria. As such, an initial noncompensable rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining information from the veteran and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's L4-L5 herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative changes at L4-L5 and L5-S1 was initially rated as 10 percent disabling from October 1, 1994 to July 15, 1998. From July 16, 1998 to April 17, 2001, the disability warranted a 20 percent rating. Since April 18, 2001, the veteran's condition has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected post-operative ventral hernias, currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's right hand and arm disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected conditions. The claim for an increased rating for his right clavicle disability was granted, but at a lower level (10% instead of 20%) as per VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia and the cause of death due to this condition, finding no evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's right arm disability is rated at 50 percent, and his left thigh disability remains at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The VA determined that squamous cell carcinoma of the neck was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of evidence regarding the occurrence of sexual assaults in service and the relationship between PTSD and these events.

The Board has granted service connection for a lump on the left side of the veteran's head, which was incurred during service. Service connection for an eye or vision disorder is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected otitis externa, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation due to lack of swelling, serous discharge, or itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code due to his failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

The veteran's service-connected obsessive-compulsive disorder is rated at 50 percent since February 26, 1998.,His TDIU claim was dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher initial disability rating for his obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The Board denied service connection and an increased rating for the veteran's learning disability and cerebral concussion residuals, finding that there was no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to his military service.