Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation greater than 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of jungle rot, both legs. The skin disorder affects both anterior shins and is currently manifested by non-extensive lesions affecting 2% of the total body surface with flat, hyperpigmented, superficial scars.

The veteran died from chronic obstructive lung disease and was not receiving pension or compensation at the time of death. The VA did not provide emergency care to the veteran, who was transferred to a private hospital where she later passed away. Therefore, burial benefits are denied.

The Board found that the residuals of a status post inguinal hernioplasty with severance of the vas deferens are manifested by pulling and tugging sensations during heavy lifting, but no recurrence. The scars are asymptomatic and there is no resulting limitation of function; any infertility is not related to the disability. As such, an increased rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill is denied as he did not have qualifying service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder as secondary to asbestos exposure, finding no current diagnosed lung disorder linked to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eye enucleation is a residual of an in-service left eye injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for right foot multiple fractures with hammertoes is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and additional medical examination.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for her service-connected patella femoral syndrome of the left knee. The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical evidence and remand the case for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her compartment syndrome of the right and left legs, as well as her claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for her service-connected depression NOS.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right Achilles tendon and sacroiliac weakness are being remanded to the RO for additional development of medical records.

The Board found no evidence to support a current back disability that is related to service, resulting in the denial of the claim for service connection.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his right buttock disability, service connection for a low back disorder, and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The VA found that there was no evidence of a lumbosacral spine disorder attributable to military service and that the appellant's service-connected disabilities did not combine to prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for diverticulosis and spastic colon, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcer disease, but granted service connection for residuals of a head injury. Service connection was not established for cardiovascular disorders (myocardial infarction and hypertension), hiatal hernia with vagus nerve damage, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation greater than 10 percent for his service-connected mitral valve prolapse is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tenosynovitis of the left hip and service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as jungle rot).

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of significant functional impairment or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for a shrapnel wound to the right arm and has reopened the claim for PTSD, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lymphoma and entitlement to a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's lymphoma and service, and that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's gallbladder disability, including cholecystitis and cholecystolithiasis, is not service-connected as there is no competent evidence linking these post-service conditions to any incident of service.