Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee gunshot wound residuals do not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 20 percent rating, as there is no evidence of severe impairment or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability. A separate evaluation for degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The veteran's cause of death due to shock was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and a service-connected disability did not substantially contribute to his death. The veteran's military service is not qualifying for the purpose of conferring eligibility upon the appellant for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his breast cancer with multiple bone metastasis did not exist during active service and is not related to active service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that mental deficiency is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable law and regulations providing compensation benefits, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder did not contribute to his demise.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected eye disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's deep vein thrombophlebitis with pulmonary embolism and septicemia is not related to service, including an inservice wart removal and reported cellulitis of the left arm. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral defective vision, including optic atrophy in the left eye, and bilateral hallux valgus. The claim for an increased disability rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis of the toenails remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected otitis media and defective hearing of the left ear. The claim for service connection for defective hearing of the right ear was also denied due to a lack of communication on the issue after the RO's October 1996 decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized skin disorder, which includes Raynaud's phenomenon, warrants a 10 percent evaluation from August 30, 2002.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected filariasis, finding no active disease process and thus not warranting a higher rating under current criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected otitis media does not currently have any symptomatic manifestations, and thus is not entitled to a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a separate disability entity manifested by dizziness, fatigue, fever, and muscle aches and pains, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The appellant is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits because the veteran served as a Philippine Scout, which does not meet the requirements for VA pension.

The veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for residuals of the left index finger shrapnel wound, effective July 22, 2007. The other noncompensable ratings assigned in November 1971 are denied as there was no CUE.

The veteran's claims for service connection for muscle, joint, and back pain as well as fatigability were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from military service.

The veteran's service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus is manifested by subjective pains in shoulders and elbows, hands, and headaches. The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was denied due to the service-connected idiopathic cardiomyopathy not meeting the schedular requirements for entitlement to individual unemployability, and he was not shown by the evidence as unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of diphtheria, including shortening of the hip and leg, which were incurred during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a bilateral mandibular osteotomy. The appeal is granted.