Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diverticulitis, finding that his current gastrointestinal symptoms are not related to his hookworm infection during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing inguinal hernia repair did not increase in severity during service and is therefore not entitled to service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia repair. The other issues on appeal are also denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for corns and calluses of both feet is being remanded due to the submission of additional pertinent clinical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dysentery and beriberi, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to support presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to active military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's gastritis does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the entire period of the claim, as there is no evidence of multiple small eroded or ulcerated areas. The preponderance of the evidence supports denying an increased rating.

The veteran's accrued benefits claim for unreimbursed medical expenses in 2003 was denied as the evidence submitted after his death is not considered.

The Board found that the veteran's right brachial plexopathy, causing numbness, weakness and pain in the right upper extremity, was most likely due to his July 2004 VA thoracotomy procedure. The evidence did not show any fault or negligence on VA’s part in providing the care, nor did it establish that informed consent was lacking. As a result, the veteran's claim for benefits under section 1151 was denied.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA treatment in November 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dilated cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is related to her pregnancies, including one during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) as a matter of law, due to the application of recent Federal Circuit rulings and regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 16, 1997, as it was not clear and unmistakable error.

The Board found that the veteran's tremors were not caused by VA care, treatment, or examination and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The VA has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity and symptomatology of the veteran's PTSD, as well as any symptoms associated with dementia. The veteran will need a comprehensive neuropsychological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding the etiology of the veteran's eye disorder.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA medical records and provide a VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's ureteral obstruction with left hydronephrosis is related to his treatment at VAMC Columbia in December 1993 to June 1998. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for HIV, which he claimed was due to a blood transfusion during his right knee surgery at a VA Medical Center in September 1989. The evidence did not support that a blood transfusion occurred and there was no finding of negligence or other fault on the part of VA.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits (other than health care and related benefits), including non-service-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an eye condition was denied in the March 1968 rating decision. The appeal to reopen this claim has been unsuccessful, and his PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not timely file a substantive appeal to perfect her claims of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, legal entitlement to accrued benefits, and legal entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension.