Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran does not have a left eye disorder that originated in service or is otherwise the result of his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for psychogenic gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such an award prior to March 29, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an ophthalmologic examination and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any bilateral eye disorder found on examination.

The veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU as early as February 1978, but there is no evidence of service-connected unemployability in his claims file between that date and April 2002. Therefore, an effective date earlier than April 29, 2002, for the award of a TDIU is not warranted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU, finding that the preponderance of evidence supported the April 29, 2002 effective date based on the veteran's informal claim and his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's right testicular disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 13, 2001 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date. The decision also addressed the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the disability prior to March 13, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence following hospitalization from July 24, 1999 to July 29, 1999 and from August 2, 1999 to August 5, 1999 due to lack of surgery or immobilization by cast as required under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.

The veteran claims service connection for acinic cell carcinoma of the minor salivary gland, which he contends is due to occupational exposure to ionizing radiation during his naval service. The claim will be remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected hemiparesis of the left upper and lower extremities are being remanded to allow consideration of additional medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence. The issue remains whether he should be granted an initial compensable rating for his service-connected orchiepidymitis and left testicle orchidopexy.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability resulting from VA medical treatment in 1991, but the case must be remanded to review additional evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for examinations. The goal is to determine if his service-connected right index finger disability existed prior to service, was aggravated during service, or resulted from a non-military work-related injury.

The veteran seeks service connection for various injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during his military service. The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is necessary to decide these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic right thigh and leg superficial varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, which was initially denied in January 1996. The Board also found that the disability was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis with multiple joint symptoms, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and a cardiac disorder, both claimed as manifestations of undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims were not supported by objective evidence of chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to the character of the appellant's military discharge and its impact on VA compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet is denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service cold injury or frostbite. The claim for an increased rating for right toe scar is also denied due to lack of medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records, including those from service. The veteran's back disability is being evaluated for its likely etiology in relation to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left eye disability and therefore, service connection for a left eye injury is denied.