Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected costochondritis, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's daughter has been diagnosed with spina bifida occulta, but not other forms of spina bifida. As a result, she is not entitled to the benefit sought under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805.

The Board found that the veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual rate for pension benefits, leading to the termination of her nonservice-connected pension benefits from June 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 2, 2004 for the award of pension benefits due to the veteran's permanent and total disability from a right inguinal hernia. The earlier effective date is based on the veteran's inability to file a claim within the first 30 days following his becoming permanently disabled.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a hernia disability and hydrocele, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right (major) first metacarpal fracture, resolving in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that the appellant cannot be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits due to lack of evidence showing the veteran was divorced and free to marry the appellant.

The veteran was awarded a permanent and total disability rating based on service-connected disability. The appellant, who is the veteran's daughter, filed her initial claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35 after this award. However, she did not meet the legal criteria for eligibility due to reaching her 26th birthday prior to the effective date of the permanent and total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of arthritis or any other joint disorder related to her service-connected rheumatic fever. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1962 and June 1984 rating decisions that assigned or continued a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the mandible with deformity, as residuals of a shell fragment wound.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and status post left hip replacement, as his current condition did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right clavicle fracture is being remanded due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous examination.

The Board found no evidence of essential tremors in service and denied the claim as there is not a current disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis with bilateral pars defects and degenerative joint disease of the spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an etiological opinion regarding whether his altered gait caused or contributed to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a skin disorder characterized by left cheek actinic keratosis and sebaceous hyperplasia of the left lower eyelid. The issue regarding the chronic, nonhealing circular erythematous lesion of the right hand is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2002 due to lack of medical evidence demonstrating a disability warranting a rating in excess of 10% prior to that date.

The veteran's central herniated nucleus pulposus at T11-T12 and mild bulging anulus fibrosus at T4-T5 were incurred in active service.

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

The veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective December 12, 2006. The condition is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, but further development is needed before the case can be decided on its merits.