Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence did not provide sufficient information to establish a right leg injury in service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a sinus disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 8, 1996, for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for glomerulonephritis. The evidence did not demonstrate persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN 40 to 80 mg., or creatinine 4 to 8 mg., or generalized poor health characterized by lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss or limitation of exertion prior to October 8, 1996.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 10 percent for the service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the nose as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's thoracic spine disability, which is manifested by complaints of moderate pain and slight degenerative changes but not by any incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome, neurologic impairment, weakness, fatigability or incoordination, warrants a rating of 20 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability claimed as due to VA medical treatment in October 1999.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for conjunctivitis residuals, finding that the retinal pigment epithelium changes in the right eye may be considered as residuals of the service-connected conjunctivitis. The veteran's headaches and branch retinal vein occlusion are not associated with his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits on the basis that he did not have the requisite military service to establish eligibility for such benefits.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left tibia with shortening of the leg, which was currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right second toe disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it only causes functional loss due to pain during prolonged standing.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's right lung middle lobe carcinoid evaluation from 100% to 10% was not proper, as there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis and the reduction did not take into account the appropriate time period under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds do not warrant an increased rating for the right posterior chest, but a compensable rating is granted for the right thigh.

The veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral athlete's foot as there was no evidence of the condition during active service and no medical nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a duodenal ulcer and erosive gastritis, finding that the veteran's use of pain medication for his low back disability likely caused these gastrointestinal issues.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding as secondary to the use of Naprosyn medication for the veteran's service-connected headache disorder, extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the service connected left pleural cavity injury, which requires outpatient oxygen therapy.

The veteran's BCC was not manifest in service or within one year of service separation and is unrelated to any incident of service origin, including claimed Mustard Gas exposure.