Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected left leg vascular disease had increased in severity to a degree warranting a total rating based on individual unemployability within one year prior to his September 12, 2002 claim. The effective date remains unchanged at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding SSA benefits filed on behalf of the veteran's child prior to June 1, 1998. The effective date for DIC award remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, accrued benefits, and nonservice-connected death pension due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicides or other service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's Sjogren's syndrome was incurred as a result of his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left upper extremity disorder and an increased evaluation for intervertebral disc syndrome, finding no evidence of such disorders being related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his maxillofacial trauma and mandible fractures was denied as he is not shown to be unable to wear suitable prosthesis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent ranula, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran died from acute myelocytic leukemia, but the evidence does not support a finding that this condition was service-connected or due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current stomach disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were not of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 25, 1998. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are not met prior to this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the abdomen, genitals, back, arms, and chest, finding no chronic skin disorder noted during active duty and insufficient medical evidence to support his claim.

The veteran's organic brain syndrome is found to have resulted from an in-service head injury, and he is therefore entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected muscle injuries to his right thigh and left leg do not warrant a higher rating, as they are no more than moderate in severity.

The Board has instructed the RO to adjudicate whether the overpayment of VA vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowance benefits was validly created. The RO must ensure that all previously requested development is completed, including requesting evidence from the veteran and explaining the legal basis for any conclusion regarding the validity of the debt.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial, compensable disability rating for residuals of left hand injury and service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating, finding no evidence linking his current eye disorder to service or inservice radiation exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, bilaterally, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's scoliosis of the thoracic spine, finding that it results in minimal functional limitation.

The Board found that the residuals of the right middle finger fracture do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of pain, limitation of motion or more than minimal functional impairment. The claim was denied.