Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), finding that it was not related to his service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that sepsis did not have onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the veteran a 100 percent rating for his chronic bronchitis and asbestosis, effective from the date of receipt of the claim (October 3, 2001). The left eye disability was also granted service connection. Other claims were denied.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits for left eye blindness under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to VA's failure in its duty to assist by not obtaining sufficient medical opinion evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is denied as a matter of law due to finality of the August 2004 rating decision.

The Board found that the veteran was not insane at the time she committed the offenses resulting in her court-martial and dismissed by a general court-martial. Therefore, her character of discharge does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of award for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic neck strain warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of service connection (October 31, 2000).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing gunshot wound residuals were not aggravated during his service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected gastritis and duodenitis, as well as secondary service connection for depression and IBS, were denied by the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's pleural thickening is not at all disabling and denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a wound to the left leg, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mitral valve prolapse warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting evidence of cardiac dilatation on echocardiogram studies.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for urticaria, finding that he was already receiving the highest possible schedular rating. The case was remanded to consider whether a higher extra-schedular evaluation could be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes traumatic arthritis and ACL injury, warrants a maximum rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected tonsillectomy residuals. The decision was based on the evidence and law available at that time, and no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is found.

The veteran's lung disorder claim is being remanded for further review due to the submission of new medical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his service, including as a former POW. The cause of death listed is bronchogenic cancer, which is not presumed for former POWs.