Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of records and to readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left ankle, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's actinic keratosis of the face was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC as the surviving child of her deceased father, who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. The Board denied the claim due to the law prohibiting retroactive awards and the appellant's age at the time she filed the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia, warrants a 20 percent evaluation. The current evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to incomplete development. The RO must ensure all required actions have been conducted, including obtaining a VA examination of the veteran's headaches and preparing a radiation dose estimate if necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development, including gathering additional evidence from witnesses and medical records.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility from June 29 to June 30, 2001 was denied because the claim was not filed within two years after the date services were provided.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer was previously rated at 10 percent, but a May 2003 rating decision increased the disability evaluation to 20 percent effective January 11, 2002.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for deep venous thrombosis of the right popliteal vein, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for malignant lymphoma, claimed as the result of exposure to mustard gas, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected fracture of the right great toe, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA scar examination and consideration of the veteran's claim under both Diagnostic Codes 7800 and 7804.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a meniscectomy and instability of the right knee do not warrant ratings higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is being remanded to the RO for further development of evidence, including a VA examination and consideration of new medical records.