Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for RSD of the right forearm and hand was denied. The claim for service connection for RSD of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities, which is presumed to be related to active service due to its presence during service, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his acute myelogenous leukemia, which is service-connected based on direct evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for bladder dysfunction and bowel dysfunction, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation on account of loss of use of the upper extremities, were denied by the RO. The veteran is still seeking benefits for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition secondary to his service-connected right orchiectomy/epididymoorchitis and for residuals of status post bunionectomy of both feet, as well as an increased rating for his postoperative right orchiectomy/epididymoorchitis. The decision also noted that the veteran's claim for service connection was not about exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or any other specific environment.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a nervous condition, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired gastrointestinal disorders are proximately due to or the result of medication taken for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from any residuals of pneumonia in service and there is no evidence linking his current respiratory disability to his active military service.

The Board reopened the claim of service connection for scleroderma and remanded it to the RO for further development. The RO issued a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) denying the claim based on failure to submit new and material evidence, which is now vacated.

The Board found no evidence of current otitis media and/or externa disability, and the veteran's reported symptoms were attributed to allergies. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral uveitis with cataracts was granted, and he is now rated at 80 percent effective January 16, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's left tibia and fibula disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of nonunion involving the tibia, loose motion requiring a brace, or significant knee or ankle disability.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, including on an extra-schedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(2), was denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the $21,600.00 life insurance payment is countable income for VA pension purposes and denied the appellant's claim to exclude it.

The Board denied the reduction in the payment of the veteran's VA disability compensation by reason of incarceration for conviction of a felony.

The Board found no new and material evidence to support reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder or skin disorder, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including reevaluation of the appellant's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and issuance of a statement of the case on non-service connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting Reiter's Syndrome was aggravated by his active duty service from February to June 1991, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The RO must now consider whether the presumption of soundness or aggravation applies to the veteran's syphilis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a flexion contracture of the left little finger has been dismissed due to his death.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the medical records and a VA examination to determine the severity and etiology of the veteran's service-connected conditions.