Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder, including athletes foot and a hand and face disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The duodenal ulcer disease was currently manifested but did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was new but not material, and thus denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new VA examination to address whether service connection can be granted for joint pain, fatigue, and lethargy.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and disposition in accordance with the Court's Order.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right femoral pseudoaneurysm, with femoral nerve palsy and history of phlebitis, currently manifests by intermittent numbness on the anteromedial aspect of the right thigh and right groin, weakness of right hip flexion and quadriceps measured as 4/5, mild atrophy of the medial right thigh muscle, sensation diminished to pinprick and impaired movement of the right leg. This disability has been characterized as moderate impairment, non-progressive, and stable. There is no symptomatology consistent with complete or severe paralysis of the quadriceps extensor muscles. As such, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional loss or impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected foot disorders. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found no error in the calculation of the veteran's income for VA pension purposes for the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran is incompetent for VA purposes and denied his appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left leg, effective from April 1999.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, but determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is due to tobacco use. The rating for dermatitis with history of verruca acuminate of the groin remains at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant died before a decision could be made, and thus there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of venereal disease, including genital herpes and genital warts, are service-connected. The issues regarding menometrorrhagia and a gynecological disorder other than venereal disease or menometrorrhagia were not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for post-operative residuals of a nasal pterygium of the left eye is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired bilateral foot disorder due to freezing injury during service or for many years thereafter. The veteran's current post-service medical records do not show any chronic foot disabilities related to his claimed history of treatment for frozen feet in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a chronic acquired bilateral foot disorder due to a freezing injury is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the postoperative residuals of the right inguinal herniorrhaphy, effective from February 26, 2001. The veteran's service-connected condition is not due to any exposure basis and does not involve any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disorder did not begin during service and is not connected to any injury or disease in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a skin disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to bronchopneumonia, finding that it was not related to his periods of active duty. The Board also found that his spinal condition did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected dental injury prior to February 16, 2002. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limited inter-incisal movement or lateral excursion.