Other conditions decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected personality change due to a general medical condition of a closed head injury was denied. The RO continued the denial in each stage (prior to April 7, 1998 and since April 7, 1998).

The Board has granted an increased initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's sleep disorder, previously diagnosed as narcolepsy, effective from October 7, 1996.

The veteran's left knee ACL insufficiency, degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion is rated at 20 percent prior to September 17, 1998 and restored to that rating on and after September 1, 2004. The right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent since March 18, 1997. Varus deformity of the left and right knees are each rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left eye, finding that the condition did not warrant such a rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of zero percent for his service-connected systolic heart murmur, finding that there was no evidence showing compensable symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left inguinal hernia and a TDIU based on this disability, finding that the current evidence does not warrant a conclusion that the service-connected condition alone precludes him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for polio. The RO has denied the reopening of this claim, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current shoulder disorder is consistent with a 60-year-old traumatic injury or more recent origin.

The Board found that the veteran did not acquire an HIV infection during service or currently has an HIV-related illness, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of qualifying active military service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The veteran is seeking service connection for cold injury residuals of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip pain is not due to disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination is necessary to adjudicate the claims for service connection of nicotine addiction and carcinoma of the tongue. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's bilateral pes cavus, status post Jones procedure and amputation of the left little toe is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that a combined 40 percent rating is appropriate based on the current manifestations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation to determine if he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee condition, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examiner's opinion regarding the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with herpes zoster (shingles), T-6 dermatome, and post-herpetic neuralgia.