Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his basic delimiting period expiring before filing for benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's left index finger disability, which is already rated at its maximum of 10 percent due to limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on additional symptoms or functional loss.

The case is being remanded for the appellant to appear before a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for degenerative disk disease at L5-S1 from back injury, as the evidence did not show it warranted more than a 20% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's baldness was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for baldness.

The veteran's overpayment of $6,220.00 was denied because the fault lay with him for not reporting changes in his dependents' status.

The veteran is seeking service connection for vertigo due to vertebro-vascular ischemia and aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), which he claims is related to his service-connected shrapnel wound injury. The case has been remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue and pharyngeal wall is being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA needs to obtain Social Security Administration disability determination letters and medical records relevant to his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's terminal stroke was unrelated to his 1953 head injury and more likely due to post-service risk factors such as age, smoking, and heart disease. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right heel disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right hand disability and a request for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for thrombocytopenia and determined that the veteran's genital warts warrant an initial compensable evaluation. The effective date of service connection for genital warts is being remanded to determine if it should be earlier than March 23, 2004.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for compliance with Vazquez-Flores requirements. The issue of an initial compensable rating for his service-connected anemia and leukopenia (neutropenia) remains pending.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea due to his withdrawal of that claim. The Board also found no evidence of a chronic rash related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for dermatophytosis of the feet and toenails, finding no evidence linking his current condition to service. The initial rating for PTSD was granted but not increased beyond 30 percent.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 10 percent for his right hallux valgus with degenerative changes, as the condition is post-surgical and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for gastric antrum/peptic ulcer disease, finding that the condition was not related to military service and did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board found that the veteran's left hand disorder is not a result of any established event, injury, or disease during active service. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's current left hand symptoms are more likely related to the diagnostic entities and less likely service-related.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sleep disorder with insomnia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation prior to August 30, 2002 was denied. However, his claim for a higher evaluation from that date forward has been granted and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating available.,The veteran's lichen simplex chronicus with hyperkeratosis of the ankles and feet was rated at 60 percent effective August 30, 2002.