Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's scars from his shrapnel wound to the right leg do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they are manifested by symptoms in an unexceptional disability picture and do not more nearly approximate tender or painful scarring.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a veteran for VA benefits purposes due to lack of service in the United States Armed Forces, including service with the Philippine Commonwealth Army or recognized guerrillas.

The veteran's death was due to sepsis and peritonitis. The appellant submitted evidence of recurring, predictable, and reasonably estimable medical expenses before the veteran's death, which provided a sufficient evidentiary basis for prospective computation of medical expenses. As such, accrued benefits based on the exclusion of unreimbursed medical expenses from countable income are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for numbness of the upper and lower extremities, finding no current disability to be linked to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as the veteran had designated his second spouse, E., as the sole principal beneficiary of his NSLI policy. The appellant could not prove lack of testamentary capacity and there was no evidence of undue influence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a current right inguinal hernia. The Board also determined that the pre-existing condition worsened during service, allowing for service connection based on aggravation.

The VA determined that the veteran's condition was stable enough for transfer to a non-VA facility, and no emergent medical situation existed. The claim is denied as payment cannot be made due to lack of an emergent basis necessitating the lack of transfer to a VA facility.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence has been submitted, despite his assertions of continued symptoms related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision being made.

The appellant's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to his service in the Philippines.

The Board found that the veteran's stomach disorder, including duodenitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral Leber's optic atrophy, concluding that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated therein.

The VA determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal pathology. The Board found that no current gastrointestinal disorder is causally related to the veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, status post fusion, is due to an injury incurred during a period of active duty for training. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial rating for the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder, effective from July 10, 1996. The appeal is pending regarding entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the spine, concluding that it is unlikely the veteran's current condition was incurred in or related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's cysts were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and specifically denied service connection for residuals of removal of keratinous epidermal inclusion cysts of right hip and right wrist due to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's hypertension has led to significant heart enlargement and dyspnea on exertion, warranting a 60% disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied. The initial noncompensable evaluation assigned for her right foot swelling remains unchanged.

The competent medical evidence of record does not establish a relationship between the veteran's cardiovascular disorder and his service-connected psychiatric disability.