Other conditions Board decisions

The Board granted the appellant's claims for increased ratings, assigning a 60 percent evaluation for residuals of a right anterior chest thoracotomy due to recurrent pneumothorax.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals from a shrapnel fragment wound of the left thigh warrant a rating of 30 percent, effective May 22, 1998.

The Board granted service connection for a right thumb disability and a right index finger disability, each secondary to the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right second metacarpal bone. Each disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and thus could not establish an in-service stressor related to combat. The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder was based on non-combat-related events, but credible supporting evidence for these events was lacking. As a result, service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant was not on active duty, ACDUTRA, or inactive duty training at the time of his motor vehicle accident. Therefore, service connection for the left elbow fracture and deformity, as well as the left forearm disability, cannot be established.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disorder, claimed as detached retinas and floaters of the eyes, finding no evidence linking her current condition to her period of active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right index and long finger disability does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as there is no evidence of amputation or ankylosis. The plantar keratoses were evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7819, which pertains to new growths of benign skin. Given the area involved was less than 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.), a compensable rating could not be assigned.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as appellants' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to MDS, which was found to be related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board found that scleroderma was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for pulmonary fibrosis was denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VCAA notice and missing records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that her spouse's character of discharge was a bar to VA benefits due to his service not being honorable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or a link to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, but the initial ratings assigned are less than what he requested. The right middle finger fracture is rated at 10 percent, while the left tibia fracture is rated at 10 percent as well. The low back disability is rated at 10 percent, the left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the acid reflux disease with hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peptic ulcer disease does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran died from nonservice-connected causes and was not in receipt of VA disability compensation or pension at the time of his death. The appeal for a burial transportation payment is denied as there is no legal basis to support it.

The veteran is appealing the validity and amount of an overpayment in his VA non-service-connected pension benefits. The Board has decided to remand this issue for further review.