Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected multiple nerve compression of the left upper extremity does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper based on multiple VA examinations and medical history provided by the veteran. The preponderance of evidence supports this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ring finger disability, which includes a healed fracture and trigger finger release, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's grant of individual unemployability was properly terminated as of December 1, 2005, due to evidence showing he is capable of maintaining and following gainful employment.

The VA determined that the veteran's urticaria does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it covers less than 20 percent of his body and requires intermittent systemic therapy.

The Board has granted service connection for post-polio syndrome and the veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further review.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot condition, claimed as blistering of the feet, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has determined that further development is needed before this claim can be decided.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to an absence without leave (AWOL) for a period of over two years, and thus precludes VA benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently has memory loss, which may be related to in-service head injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness, which began in early 2006, is not a residual of head trauma during service and was not incurred or aggravated by active military duty.

The veteran's income in 2005 was substantially below the limit for cost-free VA health care, and his net worth did not change this outcome. The Board finds that the veteran is eligible for treatment without a co-payment requirement beginning on October 15, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a blood disorder and for reopening his claim of skin disability due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not show that the blood disorder was related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the correct effective date for service connection of ulnar nerve injury was November 5, 1985. The claim for increased rating of left clavicle disability was not granted as there was no increase in severity prior to March 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, but with an effective date of October 7, 2004. This is based on a change in law that created a presumption of service connection for hypertension and related conditions in former prisoners of war.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic foot disability in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to October 1, 1998 for the initial grant of DIC benefits due to a change in law that allowed remarried surviving spouses whose marriages were terminated by death or divorce to be considered for DIC.

The veteran is not eligible for enrollment in the VA healthcare system as he does not meet the eligibility requirements, including being in a higher priority category.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file regarding whether the veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to his military service, specifically exposure to asbestos aboard the USS Princeton. The veteran will be provided a VA compensation examination for a medical nexus opinion concerning this determinative issue.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating of his service-connected left elbow sprain with epicondylitis, as his disability is currently rated at 10 percent.