Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for the residuals of rheumatic fever, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and back injury. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or chronic conditions during service, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,For the new and material evidence claims, the Board has reopened the claims for hearing loss and sinusitis as they have been associated with the veteran's service records.

The Board finds that the cause of death, terminal malignant lymphoma and cardio-respiratory arrest, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's death is therefore not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for scheduling a travel Board hearing at the next available opportunity. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right foot disorder is not attributable to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected pericarditis is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease have not met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the period under review. The residuals of his fracture of the right little finger also do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for periodontal disease is denied.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of hallux rigidus, with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints in both feet are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for his left foot.

The Board found that the appellant knowingly submitted false statements in her November 2000 affidavit and April 2001 written statement, leading to a forfeiture of VA benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 6103(a).

The veteran is granted service connection for traumatic mydriasis of the right eye and assigned a 10% initial evaluation for his service-connected right thumb disability. The claims for higher evaluations for other disabilities remain in contention.

The VA right lung surgery in November 2000 did not result in any additional disability, and the veteran's pain is attributed to the surgical removal of his right fifth rib. The Board finds that there was no negligence or fault on VA's part.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have malaria during service and there is no evidence of current residuals. The claim for service connection for malaria is denied.

The veteran's death from metastatic pancreatic cancer was not caused by service, herbicide exposure, or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anal fissures with rectal bleeding and pericarditis as there is no competent evidence of current chronic disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right inguinal hernia, with scar.

The Board found no full-body exposure to mustard gas and denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a cardiopulmonary disorder due to presumed exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as there was no evidence of a surgical procedure at VA that caused his overbite and jaw injury.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected inguinal hernia and found no evidence of stomach ulcers related to service. The issue of service connection for stomach ulcers is remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the veteran's service connection for the cause of death, obtain relevant medical records, and determine if there is a link between the veteran's suicide and his military service.

The veteran is granted service connection for a dental condition for the purpose of obtaining one-time treatment.