Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was due to leukemia and thrombocytopenia, which are service-connected conditions. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the claim, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's initial evaluation for his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder remains at 40 percent.

The veteran's right fifth toe removal is manifested by a well-healed and nontender wound, normal range of motion of the major joints of the right foot, and complaints of pain at the amputation site. The Board finds no pathology causing an impairment which would warrant a compensable rating based on pain or other functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's shin splints are service-connected, and she is rated at a 10% disability for this condition. The evaluation of her dysfunctional uterine bleeding remains unchanged.

The Board found that there is no relationship between the veteran's left hand disability and VA treatment, thus denying his claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's periodontal disease was present in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's hallux valgus (bunions) of the left foot was aggravated during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an apportionment of the veteran's VA compensation benefits on behalf of his minor child due to insufficient monthly benefit amount and lack of reasonable support from the veteran.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of excision of an acoustic neuroma of the right ear resulting in paralysis of the right side of the face primarily affecting the vocal cords, effective December 11, 1990.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition and eligibility for attorney fees from past-due benefits is established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasm of the back, generalized arthritis, and a right hand and right middle finger disorder are not well grounded. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis/chest pain is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder, characterized by severe degenerative disc and joint disease with severe acute attacks of low back symptoms including pain with radiation into the lower extremities, is productive of severe disability warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Board found that the cause of death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is not service-connected. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's lung disorder is not related to service exposure to asbestos and denied his claim.

The Board is unable to confirm whether the claims file contains a complete copy of the veteran's service medical records. The case is REMANDED for further evidentiary development, including obtaining all of the veteran's service medical records and determining if they have been transferred or retired.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for HIV and depressive reaction, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The veteran was previously granted service connection for HIV with a 30 percent evaluation effective April 30, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 10, 1992, for a total rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The decision states that there is no evidence showing the veteran was unemployable before January 10, 1992.

The Board granted service connection for ulcerative colitis with a 100% disability rating effective December 15, 1987. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted after the May 1975 denial.

The Board denied the reopening of the veteran's claims for defective hearing and residuals of malaria, finding that new evidence did not establish service connection.

The veteran's service-connected status post-transurethral resection of the prostate is not manifested by voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, but it is productive of impotence. The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for this condition.