Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VCAA notification, and the appellant is required to provide new evidence that would substantiate her claim for death benefits as the surviving spouse of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected status post laminectomy at L4-5 with arthritis is rated at 40 percent effective March 1, 2003.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for myasthenia gravis on a direct basis, as the condition was diagnosed during the claims process and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The other issues are denied.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's traumatic neuritis of the spine, currently rated at 40 percent. The evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis or marked muscular atrophy.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of steam burns to the arms, back, flank, thighs, calves, and left ear is being remanded due to a need for additional development.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's death and providing proper notice to the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chondromalacia patella of both knees does not warrant an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding the bases for the prior denial and what evidence would be necessary to substantiate that element or elements required to establish service connection.

The veteran's overpayment of non-service connected disability pension benefits in the amount of $9,279.00 is waived due to hardship caused by his and his wife's need for dialysis and full-time care.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left radius fracture with resection do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current stomach disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor is it caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disability, including solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma of the hands, arms, and face, is due to sun exposure during his period of active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the veteran's right scaphoid nonunion, status post surgical repair. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for arthritis of the right thumb.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA educational assistance under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code due to a lack of eligibility based on her periods of service and contributions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hernia repair, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be processed for a new hearing date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left foot disability and service connection for a bilateral eye disorder. The decision found that there was no current evidence of a bilateral eye condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant needs additional VCAA notice and will remand the case for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to metastatic pancreatic carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the cancer to service or herbicide exposure.