Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's herniation of the right soleus muscle warrants a 20 percent rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5311 for Muscle Group XI.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil, finding that it was not a respiratory cancer and thus not related to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC due to a need for further development of evidence, specifically regarding the veteran's exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current back disability is related to his military service or a service-connected condition, including as secondary to his service-connected left foot disorder. The appeal was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have active malaria or any residuals thereof, and thus, his claim for an increased rating for malaria is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right leg, which more nearly approximates moderately severe damage to Muscle Group XIV.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as a helpless child of the veteran due to lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support before age 18.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the feet cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right mandible fracture residuals, finding that there is no evidence of moderate displacement or loss of motion/masticatory function.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a right great toe fracture, finding that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's right leg pain was sufficient to require immediate medical attention, and VA facilities were not feasibly available. The Board grants the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The veteran's household income exceeded the 2001 income limit for entitlement to VA health care without a copayment requirement, and thus he was required to pay the copayment for that period.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The cause of the veteran's death was malignant lymphoma, which occurred more than 11 years after discharge from service.

The Board found no evidence of chronic residuals of chemical burns to the veteran's arms and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for onychomycosis of the toes, finding that the current 30 percent evaluation was appropriate based on the medical evidence showing only minor symptoms and no systemic or nervous manifestations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints was denied, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. Additionally, it was determined that he is not entitled to special monthly compensation as his blindness renders him in need of assistance from another person.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a lipoma on the back and declined to grant a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.