Other conditions decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his shell fragment wound of the right chest area with a retained foreign body is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his request for a hearing and continued with the appeal.

The veteran's initial ratings for instability of the thumb joints are denied as they do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and diagnostic criteria.

The VA denied service connection for muscle spasms as being due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that there were no objective indications of muscle spasms in the medical records.

The Board found that the veteran did not suffer additional disability of his nose as a result of the October 1997 surgery, and thus compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of a fractured nose, finding that the disability does not result in obstruction or marked interference with breathing.

The veteran was granted a separate 10% disability evaluation for residuals, other than scars, of a shell fragment wound of the right heel effective December 10, 2002.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran to be examined regarding her neck disorder and its relation to her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back injury, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disability resulting from such.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the dorsum of the left hand is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's current skin condition did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's diarrhea/dumping syndrome and whether it is related to the November 1994 colonoscopy/polypectomy or subsequent hemicolectomy.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that his current bowel and bladder disabilities are not related to the surgeries he underwent in 1996.

The veteran's severe disfigurement of the head, scalp, and face due to systemic lupus with manifestations of discoid lupus is now rated at 80 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts, claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, is being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he did not meet the requirements for non-service-connected burial allowance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA dental examination and obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of any found dental or salivary disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral defective hearing does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for gastritis is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is REMANDED to the RO. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the mediastinum warrant a disability rating of 10 percent, effective from when his claim was first adjudicated in August 2000.