Other conditions decisions — 2006

The VA neurologist found no evidence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the veteran's left lower extremity. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for VA outpatient dental treatment was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his failure to file within the required time frames and because the loss of teeth was not due to service trauma.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2002 for residuals of right inguinal hernia repair was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected condition had worsened to warrant an increased evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a fracture of the left fourth finger has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral cataracts, right eye myopia and left eye astigmatic presbyopia are not related to service or due to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining recent medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine the current level of impairment due to left inguinal hernia.

The veteran's varicose veins are found to be service-connected, while her skin rash is not. The veteran was granted service connection for varicose veins and denied service connection for a skin rash, including ringworm.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his duodenal ulcer residuals is being remanded due to the inextricability of the service connection claims for dumping syndrome and partial small bowel obstruction with mesenteric hematoma and extensive adhesions. The issues are being addressed prior to adjudicating the rating issue.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to manage independently with assistance from his spouse.

The Board found that the veteran's limb-girdle muscular dystrophy did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of the right thigh warrants a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, as there is no basis for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The varicose veins of the right leg are rated at their maximum allowable level.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inability to determine if the veteran has a fungal infection during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and loss of vision were not incurred during active service, and age-related macular degeneration was not related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied as there was no evidence showing the veteran had been continuously rated totally disabled due to a service-connected condition immediately preceding his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve disorders and mitral murmur, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.