Other conditions decisions — 2005

The VA denied compensation benefits for neurological deficits of the right elbow, finding no evidence that these symptoms resulted from treatment at a VA facility.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left great toe amputation, as X-rays confirmed it was through the phalanges rather than involving removal of part of the metatarsal head.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a lacerated wound injury to the left arm with injury to the deltoid muscle, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to alcohol abuse and exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The Board found that neither condition was related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disability was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, resulting in fault on VA's part. The decision denied the claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of mortar fragment wounds of the left lower back warrant a rating of 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5320.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's service and his current ankylosing spondylitis, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a combined rating of 30 percent, effective from November 1995.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday and thus could not be recognized as a helpless child.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for esophageal stricture, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of Reiter's syndrome related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria and an initial rating for bilateral defective hearing, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service disease. The veteran was not granted a higher initial rating for his hearing loss.

The VA surgery did not result in additional disability to the veteran, and there is no evidence of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA. The veteran's symptoms are attributed to a cervical spine condition rather than the surgical procedure.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence showing a right leg injury in service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine if his current skin disorder is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, metastatic pancreatic carcinoma, was not caused by or aggravated by service-connected disability. The exposure to ionizing radiation during service did not contribute substantially or materially to his cancer diagnosis.

The veteran seeks service connection for cardiovascular disease and impotency secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded due to the need for further development of medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that he did not submit new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current nature and extent of any gynecological condition found to be present, including any residuals of the veteran's December 2002 hysterectomy. The examiner should also comment on reports contained in the veteran's service medical records and post-service records noting the presence of an umbilical hernia in service, and complaints of abdominal or stomach pain and urinary tract infections in service and shortly thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for basic eligibility to receive improved pension benefits based on service in the American Merchant Marine from January 27 to December 31, 1946 due to lack of legal merit.