Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's service-connected head injury with nasal fracture residuals does not warrant a compensable initial evaluation.

The veteran's service connection for bloody stools as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show that he had a current disability manifested by bloody stools, and his bleeding was attributed to hemorrhoids which were already service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the mandibular alveolar process warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post-traumatic headaches.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's bilateral varicose veins were rated at 30 percent prior to January 12, 1998. Since then, separate ratings of 20 percent each have been assigned for the right and left legs as of that date. The veteran's left varicocele is not service-connected.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right foot and right flank, based on moderate to severe impairment.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal due to her failure to file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days after the issuance of the statement of the case.

The veteran was granted eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code beginning April 14, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current Crohn's disease is etiologically related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The case is remanded for scheduling a Board videoconference hearing and further development of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic motion sickness is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the October 1986 rating decision denying service connection for depressive neurosis contained clear and unmistakable error, and now grants service connection.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to incomplete medical records and a need for an examination.

The Board found no current disability related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, including Reiter's syndrome and photosensitivity.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound residuals of the neck, back and left upper extremity. Separate 10 percent ratings are also assigned for tender scars at the base of the left trapezius and in the lateral posterior thorax area, as well as mild median nerve partial paralysis in the left forearm.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic cataract of the left eye and found that it is of service origin. The issue of an increased rating for pigmentation of the macula of the left eye will be addressed in conjunction with this grant.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a social and industrial survey. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and aging macular degeneration, finding no evidence of these conditions in service and no competent medical opinion linking them to military service.

The Board denied service connection for defective hearing of both ears, finding that the claimant's right ear hearing loss pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active service. The left ear hearing acuity was normal on entry and separation from service.