Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected vitiligo in service is considered to be the first manifestation of her Graves' disease, and thus grants service connection for Graves' disease.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L3-4 and L4-5 was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation, which was later increased to 20 percent effective September 21, 2000. The current appeal is for an increase in the initial evaluation.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of fragment wounds to the right knee and calf, as well as bilateral hearing loss, was granted. The rating for the right knee and calf injuries is set at 30 percent, effective from April 22, 2002. For bilateral hearing loss, a 10 percent rating is assigned starting from that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right foot infection and right leg cellulitis are not related to his service, as there is no medical evidence showing a causal connection between his in-service injury and his 1999 injury. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The veteran's lipoma on the left side of the neck was granted a noncompensable evaluation from September 1, 1999 and an increased to 10 percent effective August 30, 2002.

The Board found no evidence of current malaria or its residuals, and the veteran's service records do not indicate he had malaria during his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for malaria was denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for throat cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and will need to review the evidence again.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for VA benefits, including dependency and indemnity compensation benefits due to a lack of service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic residuals of gonorrhea and epididymitis, finding that there is no evidence of a continuing or chronic disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 70 percent combined, meeting the threshold requirement for a total disability rating. However, he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions as there is no evidence that they prevent him from working in an indoor environment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for shin splints in both her right and left tibia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection and the presumptive provisions under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d) were not applicable due to lack of participation in a radiation-risk activity.

The VA determined that the veteran's Crohn's Disease, rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The veteran is seeking service connection for the residuals of a right eye injury sustained during his military service. The VA has requested additional medical records and will conduct an examination if necessary to determine whether the current right eye disability is related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected atypical psychosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and notification under the VCAA.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right hand disability is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his skin conditions is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that further evidence is needed to decide the veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis, as it may be related to urethritis or venereal disease sustained during service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.