Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for sensory neuropathy of the right lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current left inguinal hernia disability and finds no evidence to support his claim for service connection. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disability was not caused by VA negligence, carelessness, or fault. The right eye vision impairment is already rated at 10% and no higher rating can be granted due to lack of evidence linking it to active service or VA-administered care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed psychosis, NOS and personality disorder with antisocial features are at least as likely as not related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The denial of the increased rating claim is based on the lack of evidence showing limitation of motion at shoulder level, while the denial of service connection was due to a failure to establish a link between his alcohol dependence and any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the veteran was not in receipt of a 100% disability rating at any time during his lifetime.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and the need for further medical examination.

The veteran's current manifestations of service-connected traumatic arthritis include tenderness with palpation, normal or nearly normal range of extension and flexion without pain on motion, pain with standing for more than 30 minutes, and minimal degenerative changes of the menisci of the right knee. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent are not met.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim due to new evidence, but finds that her b-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not related to her service.

The veteran's lung disorder is related to asbestos exposure in service, but his myositis of the neck and back claim was reopened. The lung disorder remains service connected, while the status of the myositis of the neck and back claim is pending.

The Board denied service connection for cancer of the mouth due to Agent Orange exposure and an increased rating for postoperative peptic ulcer.

The veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which is not service-connected. The Board denied the claims for DIC under both sections 1318 and 1151.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining VA clinical records from Tennessee facilities and determining the veteran's service status with the Army National Guard. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as well as increased evaluations for residuals of cold injury to the right and left lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 12, 1997 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent from November 12, 1997 to December 7, 1997.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the Court's remand, including a new VA ophthalmological examination and medical opinion. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board found no evidence of a current eye disorder or lung disability related to service and denied the veteran's claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an esophageal mass and a granulomatous chest mass were denied. The claim for increased rating for residuals of a right thumb and hand laceration with arthritis was granted, but the veteran is still seeking higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of mononucleosis and a sinus condition, finding no competent evidence to support the claims.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, finding that the condition was not caused by exposure to ionizing radiation in service and did not contribute substantially or materially to the veteran's death.