Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the initial decision to grant service connection for atrial tachycardia with pacemaker implantation was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Service connection is restored.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right eye disability, finding that the most severe manifestation of his condition was a corrected central vision of 20/70 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye with persistent diplopia throughout the entire field in every quadrant of gaze. The veteran's claim is therefore denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, based on new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a malignant thymoma, which is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to exposure to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds to muscle group III, right arm were increased from a 20 percent evaluation to a 40 percent evaluation effective February 12, 2003.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The Board found that the colon cancer was not present within one year of discharge and was not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for increased rating of submandibular lymphangitis due to incomplete examination and lack of specific diagnostic codes. The veteran's disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but needs further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and a neuropsychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nephrolithiasis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there is no objective evidence of recurrent stone formation requiring drug or diet therapy in recent years. The claim for an increased rating for nephrolithiasis is denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disability related to rheumatic fever during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claims of service connection for left and right foot disorders are pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his duodenitis with Schatzki's ring was denied. The Board found that the effective date for the 40 percent rating should be October 24, 1996, as it is the earliest date as of which it is ascertainable that in increase in disability had occurred.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected back pain and radicular leg pain is being remanded due to the inconclusive nature of the medical evidence. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the severity of the veteran's current condition.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for a ganglion cyst excision of the right wrist with scarring has been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's skin or joint rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hereditary spherocytosis, gallstones, and hepatitis C. The Board found that these conditions did not first manifest during service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of fungal infections of the hands or feet, and these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of bacillary dysentery do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for a lower abdominal disorder, residuals of an L-3 compression fracture, and osteoporosis. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current left elbow and bilateral foot disorders and his service-connected disabilities.