Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder and chronic tonsillitis have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's marriage to the appellant was not deemed valid due to legal impediment, and thus the appellant is not entitled to DIC or death pension benefits.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for bursitis of the right hip was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's right arm tumor excision scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it is not tender or painful on examination and does not cause limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the claimant currently has a testicular disorder or hypopituitarism, and if so, whether it was caused by military service. The RO/AMC is directed to obtain medical records from various providers, including VA and non-VA sources, and consider affording the claimant a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a nasal fracture were not shown to be manifested by 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side from January 2, 2003, to January 8, 2004. From January 9, 2004, forward, the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a nasal fracture are manifested by symptoms consistent with 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The veteran's death benefits, including dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), death pension benefits, and accrued benefits are denied as the appellant is not eligible for these benefits.

The Board found no evidence of a current right hand disorder with pain and swelling, and concluded that the veteran's claimed disability is not related to service or his service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran died in February 2003 and was buried later that month. The appellant filed an application for non service-connected burial benefits more than two years after the veteran's permanent burial, which is not within the time limit specified by VA regulations.

The appellant's income exceeded the statutory limit for improved death pension benefits, and her claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of Reiter's syndrome, finding that no claims prior to October 26, 1995 were pending and the law was correctly applied.

The veteran's claim for an extension of the basic 10-year period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code was denied by the RO. The Board found that the adjustment to the delimiting date was proper based on the reduction in service time due to a break between active duty periods.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disorder, to include chorioretinitis, and finds that it is warranted based on evidence showing the veteran had chorioretinitis in service resulting in current residuals.

The Board denied the appellant's attempt to reopen her claim for nonservice-connected death pension, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cholelithiasis with intra-abdominal abscess, claimed as Crohn's disease due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not related to his service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, a skin condition, and nerve damage of the feet and legs, each claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The only medical opinions on the question of a medical relationship between these conditions and exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam weigh against the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected otitis media, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of death, but finds that there is no evidence linking pneumonia and influenza to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of both his right and left knees, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.