Other conditions decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his service-connected diverticulosis and status-post polypectomy for tubulovillous adenoma, as well as for other gastrointestinal problems and muscle wasting were all denied by the VA. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction or pathologic condition and her bruxism is considered a developmental defect. Therefore, service connection for developmental bruxism and TMJ pain is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran acquired nicotine dependence during service and this condition caused Raynaud's syndrome and cancer of the jaw and mandible. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, concluding that there is no evidence of chronic disability resulting from an in-service head injury.

The Board found that the appellant's earlier effective date claim for DIC benefits was denied as her application for VA death benefits was received more than one year after the effective date of a liberalizing law, and she did not provide evidence to support an earlier effective date.

The Board found no current medical evidence of a disability manifested by syncopal episodes and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, memory loss, and joint soreness, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal to the RO's November 1993 rating decision, and thus dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including congestive heart failure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected left ear chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma was rated at 10 percent from November 22, 1997, through March 21, 2001. From March 22, 2001, the rating is noncompensable. A separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted effective June 10, 1999.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood, currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for varicose veins of both his right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence to support ratings higher than the currently assigned 10% and 20% evaluations.

The Board found no evidence of current liver disorder, right eye epidermic keratoconjunctivitis, chronic upper respiratory infections, or chronic urinary tract infection. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that there is no clinical evidence linking the current back disorder to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a systolic murmur with claimed heart valve damage, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any symptoms to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right great toe and onychomycosis of the right great toe do not warrant compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the residuals of a left total hip replacement warrant an initial rating of 50 percent from February 20, 1997 through July 25, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome did not have a nexus to his active service and was not shown to be aggravated by his service-connected schizophrenia. The VA medical specialist concluded there were no chronic residuals of NMS.

The Board found that the July 1972 rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error in reducing the veteran's disability rating from 40 to 20 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right lung. The reduction was upheld as supported by the evidence at the time.

The veteran's effective date for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected retropatellar femoral pain syndrome was granted from April 25, 2001.