Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's left index finger laceration is manifested by limited range of motion and weakness, as well as a well-healed scar. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left index finger laceration have not been met.

The Board found no current evidence of chest wall pain or dyspnea related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions. The claim for foot fungus was also denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinea pedis.

The VA granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5, left, effective November 9, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriatic arthritis of his right and left hands, finding that the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, including acromioclavicular separation and fractures of the clavicle, was incurred during his period of active duty service.

The veteran died of natural causes and was not in receipt of VA pension or compensation at the time of his death. Therefore, he is not eligible for VA burial benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left foot injury or arthritis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing medical records and will re-adjudicate the claim after these records are obtained.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a right hand fracture that occurred in 1986. The RO has not found the veteran's service medical records and did not consider additional evidence submitted by the veteran, including a photograph of him in a Navy uniform with his right hand/arm in a cast from February 1986. The case is being remanded for further development to obtain the veteran's service medical records and clinical records from any treatment he received at that time.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, colon cancer and liver failure, was not related to his service-connected conditions. The evidence did not show a connection between any service-connected disability and the veteran's death.

The veteran's cardiovascular disorder and hiatal hernia are not service-connected, but the VA has determined that these conditions are secondary to his pre-existing service-connected disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current condition does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a more severe disability rating based on the provided medical evidence and diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluation of malaria, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a skin disability. The noncompensable rating for malaria was maintained due to lack of confirmed relapses or residuals.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for post-operative sigmoid abscess and diverticulum of the colon, concluding that these conditions are not related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post left spontaneous pneumothorax does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for spinal muscular atrophy, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's colon cancer and its residuals are not related to her military service, specifically her active duty from December 1950 to October 1952 or her Reserve service. The claim is denied.

The Board has restored service connection for dementia (manifested by cognitive impairment) secondary to head trauma. The veteran's unemployability due to schizophrenia is also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues with the rating assigned for ulcerative colitis.

The appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.