Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a separate rating for acute chest syndrome and an earlier effective date for her 100 percent rating for sickle cell anemia, finding that no increase in disability occurred prior to August 19, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left hand disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have Lyme disease in service and does not currently have chronic residuals of the condition. The evidence established that the veteran's symptoms were likely due to infections he had during his military service, rather than Lyme disease.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The issue of assigning a rating or effective date is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected bilateral posterior tibial tendonitis, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is not related to active service or inservice radiation exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the residuals of a bilateral lower extremity fasciotomy do not result in pain on examination or any other disability, and thus denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that further efforts are needed to obtain verification from the DOD regarding the veteran's Chapter 1606 eligibility, including whether he meets the criteria for a 'kicker' benefit.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits is July 2, 2004, based on evidence indicating an original claim was filed by the veteran's representative in July 2004.

The VA determined that the veteran's current evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral foot calluses should be continued, as there is no evidence of limitation of function or other compensable disability.

The veteran's claim for VA educational benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38 was denied because he did not meet the eligibility requirements due to his less than two years of active duty service and discharge reason.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected left ring finger amputation resulted in a chronic stump infection that contributed to his death. The RO will also provide corrective notice and attempt to secure all available medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his basic eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymic disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent, finding that her symptoms more closely approximate those listed for a 70 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will then be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and procedural errors, including failure to provide proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The case will be reviewed by an appropriate VA medical doctor who will address whether there was a point by which the veteran's emergency condition had ended or when he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility for continuation of treatment. If not, they will determine if a feasibly available VA facility with the ability to provide necessary treatment existed.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits as her late husband did not have qualifying service with the United States Armed Forces.

The appeal is being remanded due to inadequate notice and missing information in the veteran's claims folder, including service-connected disabilities and cause of death. The appellant's claim for eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits will be reconsidered after obtaining these documents.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or limitation of motion. The disability currently results in minimal degenerative changes with a Baker cyst.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected pruritic scrotum and groin disability does not warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 10 percent, as it involves no more than 2 percent of his skin. The claim for an increased rating is denied.