Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized as status post fracture of the left patella with chondromalacia and malunion of the patella. The decision does not address secondary service connection or other issues.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for a determination on whether new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disorder of the feet. If reopened, the RO must determine if service connection is justified.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed residuals of a left hand injury, finding no competent evidence to establish an in-service injury or link between current disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb disability and an increased rating for residuals of a traumatic fracture of the left hand, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim of eligibility for a clothing allowance was denied by the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont. The Board has determined that additional action is necessary before proceeding with review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left fibula fracture, status post open reduction and internal fixation does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hyperlipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia are not disabilities for VA compensation purposes, and therefore cannot be service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction related to diabetes mellitus have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right femur disability, currently rated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the veteran's treatment and employment history, verifying stressor events, and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is present.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, sepsis leading to liver failure and multiple organ failure, was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance under Chapter 30 was denied as he did not elect to participate in the program and his election to decline participation was not withdrawn within the required timeframe.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the acute myeloid leukemia to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound residuals to both thighs, finding that the current 10 percent disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus cancer and a right eye disorder, finding no evidence of a causal link to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for optic neuritis of the right eye, as well as the issue of service connection due to herbicide exposure during service. The veteran's request for reopening the previously denied claim remains under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's bilateral hallux rigidus.

The Board denied service connection for stomach cancer due to ionizing radiation, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schistosomiasis/bilharzia is denied due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for peptic ulcer disease with gastritis and pancreatitis was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination.