Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and a left femur disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service injury or disease. The diagnoses were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding new and material evidence. The case is now remanded to determine if the reopened claim is well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension due to the need of regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded for additional development, including obtaining all pertinent medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a vaginal cyst is well-grounded. The VA examination and medical records indicate that the current condition may be related to an in-service treatment, but further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for poor balance and eye disorder (serpiginous choroidopathy) are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of either condition, nor is there any clinical evidence linking these conditions to service or events therein.

The Board has granted service connection for left arm and hand disorders secondary to a SFW of the left distal biceps, but denied an increased evaluation for the SFW itself. The veteran's SFW is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her sacroiliac displacement (scoliosis) disorder is denied as there is no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The veteran's service-connected ASCUS disorder was withdrawn by the veteran during her hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death is due to his terminal cancer, which they believe may be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claim will proceed with further medical evaluation and determination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the waiver of the debt, thus the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for refractive error of the eyes, claimed as defective vision, is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board granted service connection for callosities of both feet with a 10 percent disability rating effective from August 15, 1997. The veteran also received an earlier effective date for the allowance of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremity do not warrant an increased rating, as they are currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for extraction of teeth as a compensable disability and for noncompensable dental disability for outpatient treatment purposes. The former claim was based on periodontal disease, while the latter was not addressed.

The veteran's claim for service connection related to a gunshot wound in the right leg was previously denied and not reopened. As his qualifying period of active duty did not include this injury, he is not eligible for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his terminal acute myocardial infarction, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a supplemental statement of the case.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected back disorder, hemilaminectomy, L4-L5 with L4 sacrum fusion and arthritic changes, is currently manifested by a moderate limitation of motion of the lumbar spine. As such, the disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip deformity, and thus the claim is well-grounded.