Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for fracture of the left scapula and muscle damage to the left scapula area, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran died of vascular collapse due to arteriosclerotic heart and vascular disease. The VA determined that the appellant does not meet the income requirement for improved death pension benefits or is eligible for burial benefits.

The case is being remanded for further development to ensure all necessary evidence has been obtained and considered.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected traumatic scoliosis with arthritis was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's arthritis of the left mid foot and toes, as well as his right hand arthritis, are found to be related to service-connected disabilities. The VA has granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing hematuria was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability, effective from June 18, 2001.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a dermatological condition and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of fractures of the second metatarsal of the left foot and the third metatarsal of the right foot, finding that there were no current residuals and attributing any current complaints to unrelated disorders.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of facial trauma with multiple fractures, effective from January 1, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board found that the veteran's estate was too large to justify continued payment of improved nonservice-connected pension benefits, and thus terminated his benefits effective May 1, 2000.

The Board denied an increased rating for cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, status post cholecystectomy, finding that the symptoms were mild dyspepsia and constipation, which more nearly approximated a 10 percent disability rating.