Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of a ruptured appendix, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current right elbow disability to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's dermatophytosis and onychomycosis of the feet are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current manifestations.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for malignant lymphoma from March 1, 1992 was denied. The claim for a higher rating for restrictive-obstructive lung disease associated with malignant lymphoma from October 7, 1996 to June 3, 1999 was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 21, 2001 for service connection due to lack of prior claims and no indication of intent to apply.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hallux valgus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's residuals of anal fissure are currently manifested by subjective complaints and objective evidence of periodic rectal bleeding, fecal leakage, and fair sphincter control. The Board finds that the current manifestations more closely approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating than a 10 percent rating.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service medical records, particularly from the veteran's early active duty. The case will be returned for further review after obtaining any missing records and assessing their impact on the claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of atrial fibrillation, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected systolic heart murmur.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Achilles tendon disorder, which resulted from an injury during inactive duty training, is service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in a final denial.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for ulcerative colitis with anemia and history of pancolitis, as the disability is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right wrist condition, including nonunion of a fractured right navicular and secondary traumatic arthritis, did not worsen during service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that trench mouth is not a disability for which VA compensation may be paid, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for trench mouth (Vincent's stomatitis) for compensation purposes is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy warrants a 40 percent rating, as his urinary incontinence requires him to change absorbent materials twice daily. The highest allowable ratings for obstructive voiding and urinary frequency are not met.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death and denied entitlement to accrued benefits for bilateral blindness. The veteran's death was attributed to cardio-respiratory arrest with metastatic lung cancer and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a gastroenterological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for status-post coccyx injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for acute prostatitis, claimed as secondary to a VA prostate biopsy. The RO denied the claim, concluding that the infection was not compensable due to its acute and transitory nature without chronic residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for multiple lipomas, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, is pending.