Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative left inguinal hernia does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of recurrent or non-reducible hernia, and the surgical scar is not painful or limiting function.

The veteran seeks service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right inferior alveolus, which he claims is related to his exposure to herbicides outside Vietnam. The case has been remanded due to incomplete verification of Vietnam service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to an effective date earlier than September 1, 1996 for a grant of death pension benefits. The claim was filed after August 5, 1996 and there is no evidence supporting an earlier filing.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim as it is insufficient to establish that VA medical or educational services were the proximate cause of additional disability.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the service-connected residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to his deteriorating health, and he was unable to attend the scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new Board hearing at the RO.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and chondromalacia patella of the left knee were denied. The case is remanded to evaluate the spine disorder under the September 2003 criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a right inguinal hernia are best described as postoperative recurrent, readily reducible and well supported by truss or belt. Therefore, the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board found no evidence of current residuals from the veteran's reported burns to the neck and chin, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral heel condition, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim and noting that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for VA benefits as a surviving spouse of the veteran.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right varicocele, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his cardiovascular disease to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic sleep disorder, chronic skin disorder, Raynaud's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records and provide the veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of nasal injury, claimed as a dislocated nose. The Board finds that the deflected nasal septum likely originated during service in an August 1955 bus accident.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary prior to adjudicating the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death. The claims file contains missing VA medical records, specifically those related to the initial diagnosis and treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's respiratory disorder and potential in-service asbestos exposure. The veteran will be provided with VCAA notice, additional medical records will be sought, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of his death and his DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.