Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial compensable rating for the surgical removal of his right testicle, finding that his left testicle remains functional and does not qualify him for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7524.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis of the toenails and an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of dental trauma, finding that there is no evidence of dental trauma during service. As a result, the veteran cannot qualify for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for tongue cancer, claimed as larynx cancer, due to presumed exposure to herbicides. However, the claim remains denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or that it was incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information from SSA and recalculating the veteran's pension overpayment. The Committee will then reconsider the waiver request.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's status-post-operative fracture of the mandible, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between any current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including dysthymia, and the veteran's active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include dysthymia, is denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for Môniére's disease, which he claims is related to his active military service. He also argues that it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left clavicle fracture, finding that the evidence did not show limitation to 25 degrees from the side or more nearly approximating this level than 45 degrees from the side.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, finding that postoperative residuals did not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a cardiovascular disability is being remanded due to the absence of his service medical records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA physician's opinion on whether service-connected conditions contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bone disorder, diagnosed as osteopenia and osteoporosis, is proximately due to or the result of medication (Dilantin) for a service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board found no evidence of scoliosis or any back disorder during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's vision loss, dizziness, and blackouts.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing left hip disorder, characterized as mild degenerative changes of the left hip with residuals of pinning due to history of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, was not aggravated by service or a service-connected disorder. Therefore, service connection for a left hip disorder is not warranted.

The Board has remanded this issue due to its inextricability with another matter, and the validity of an overpayment. The attorney's claim for a higher contingency fee will be reconsidered after the overpayment issue is resolved.