Other conditions decisions — 2005

The veteran died of stomach cancer, which was not service-connected. His service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 1993 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a left rib cage injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing medical records from the veteran's terminal hospital and autopsy.

The veteran's back disability, characterized by severely limited range of motion with pain, was evaluated at a 40 percent rating effective March 18, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected Hodgkin's disease residuals have been productive of symptoms that are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level, warranting a 20% rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have otitis media and therefore cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil as a residual of Agent Orange exposure during service is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify the veteran's monthly income, specifically regarding his receipt of Social Security benefits and part-time employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral tibia stress fractures, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's need for aid and attendance and whether his total disability is permanent.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder and granted an increased rating for her low back disorder to 40 percent.

The veteran's left and right lower extremity impairments are currently rated at 60 percent, effective March 2004. The appeal is granted for a rating in excess of 60 percent for each lower extremity impairment prior to November 2001.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, finding that there was no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or occasional incapacitating episodes due to arthritis.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records from the San Bernardino Medical Group and Corona CBOC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep disorder is not service-connected, as it is considered a symptom of his non-service connected mental disorder.

The veteran's breast cancer is found to be caused by exposure to noxious agents during active duty, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right testicle injury is being remanded due to the loss of his service medical records and an incomplete examination. The VA needs to obtain a definitive opinion linking any current conditions, such as atrophied right testicle or Peyronie's disease, to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and right hip disorder as there is no evidence of current disabilities or any link to service.

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