Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran's right knee disorder, characterized by chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disorder. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for the right knee disorder is granted.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to loss of vision in his left eye resulting from VA treatment in January 1999 was denied as there is no evidence that the loss of vision resulted from VA medical care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's strabismus, a congenital condition, was not superimposed over his preexisting congenital strabismus during active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for skin problems was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis and spina bifida occulta were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain with mild facet arthropathy at L4-L5 was not granted as the condition was not diagnosed, but a 10% disability rating was assigned for recurrent deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial in May 1971. However, the underlying issue of whether service connection should be granted remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left calcaneus fracture do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for an effective date of May 16, 1984 for additional compensation benefits based on his dependent child born in May 1983. The decision was made after reviewing VA records and correspondence from the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracic spine with abnormal thoracic curvature is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The veteran's initial noncompensable ratings for GERD and headaches have been withdrawn.,Service connection has not been established for residuals of a left thumb dislocation or insomnia.

The veteran's service-connected urticaria is manifested by recurring episodes at least four times over a 12-month period and requires prescription antihistamines to control these exacerbations. Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to the lack of corroborated in-service stressor.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension was dismissed as it is a free-standing claim and not based on CUE in the final rating decision.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a diagnosed left hand disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's sacroiliac injury and weakness, currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his military service and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board found no service connection for the cause of death and denied eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 9, 1994 was granted as his service connection for residuals of a head injury with post concussion syndrome was reopened and awarded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a back injury.

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

The veteran's countable income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.