Other conditions decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current lung disorder related to his in-service spontaneous pneumothorax, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, which was variously diagnosed, did not start during his military service and is not related to any exposure or condition in service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability resulting from service.

The Board found that the veteran's lupus was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected mycotic infection, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have residuals of a left thigh injury incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to a higher amount for nonservice-connected death pension for the period from October 1, 2000, to July 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic dermatological disorder, claimed as chloracne or acne-form disorder, is reasonably attributable to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide exposure applies in this case.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that VA negligence caused his tardive dyskinesia.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were granted, with the effective date being October 10, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for otomycosis of the left ear, finding that there was no current evidence of otomycosis or other related conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's esophageal (hiatal) hernia is not etiologically related to his service-connected peptic ulcer disease or subtotal gastrectomy, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's son, R., was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the date of his eighteenth birthday in September 1994. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's need for financial support is demonstrated, but an apportionment of the veteran's disability compensation benefits would cause undue hardship for the veteran. Therefore, the claim for apportionment is denied.

The RO granted service connection for a left eye corneal scar, but the veteran's claim of residuals from a left eye injury, including cataract surgery, was not fully addressed as he requested.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current interstitial lung disease is likely due to asbestos exposure during his service aboard Navy ships. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative right inguinal hernia does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it is not recurrent or readily reducible and well supported by truss or belt. The scar associated with the surgery is painful but not disabling enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his military service and the condition.

The veteran's bilateral blindness is attributed to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.