Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left leg disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the April 21, 2003 rating decision regarding his claim for service connection for congenital spine defect.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing condition and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral pterygium did not develop during service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed plasmacytomas, as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his active service and these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant knowingly concealed his involvement with the Japanese-sponsored Bureau of Constabulary (BC), leading to a forfeiture of all rights, claims, and benefits under VA laws.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits because her father had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, which is recognizable as service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral lower leg disability and concluded that the veteran's claimed condition is not related to his military service.

The appellant's late spouse served with the Kauai Volunteers, which is not considered active military service for VA benefits purposes. Therefore, the claim for basic eligibility to receive VA DIC benefits is denied.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied due to his status as a nonservice-connected veteran and not being enrolled prior to January 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's left eye keratoconus existed prior to service and was aggravated by service, or if it is related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral chondromalacia patella is likely due to trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen her service connection claim for cause of death and her claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran was awarded a permanent and total disability rating based on service-connected disability, effective November 1, 2005. The appellant's daughter filed for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35 in March 2006. However, the appellant reached her 26th birthday before the effective date of the veteran's permanent and total disability rating, making her ineligible for DEA benefits.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on July 18, 2002 at G.M. Hospital and from July 18 to July 21, 2002 at LDS Hospital was denied because the services were not authorized by VA prior to the treatment, the veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002(e), and the claim was filed more than 90 days after the latest of several specified dates.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his heart attacks to his time in service.

The veteran's claims for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Bayfront Medical Center and Bayflite Medical Transport on May 18, 2006 were denied as the veteran had coverage under his automobile insurance policy.

The Board found that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's left biceps injury and its residuals. The claim is pending further action.

The VA compensation examination conducted on October 20, 2006 indicated that the veteran's left foot disability is characterized by X-ray evidence of left ankle arthrosis and a left foot plantar calcaneal spur. The examiner noted painful, stilted movement with active and passive motion in her left ankle and foot, along with abnormal weight-bearing and an antalgic gait. As of October 31, 2006, the date of the VA examination, the veteran's disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pelvic and abdominal wall adhesions are manifested by uncontrolled pelvic pain, affecting the bowel and bladder but without lesions involving these organs. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.