Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head injury and neck disorder, finding that there is now competent medical evidence of current disabilities. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran is granted an initial 30 percent evaluation for absence of the right testicle and a varicocele and atrophy of the left testicle.

The Board found that the veteran's neurological impairment of the left upper extremity is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left clavicle fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic upper respiratory disorder and therefore, service connection for an upper respiratory disability is denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence of radiation exposure and insufficient medical opinion to link pancreatic cancer to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed narcolepsy and cataplexy are not related to service, including any period of active duty. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a brain tumor and labyrinthitis, finding that these conditions did not begin in or were made worse during military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's gout and Paget's disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosed gastritis is at least as likely as not secondary to military service, given his in-service condition and continued use of antacid medication. The Board granted service connection for a stomach disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for cardiac dysrhythmia status post pacemaker insertion and an initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss. The claims for ulcers and duodenitis, as well as the request for a higher rating for benign prostatic hypertrophy with recurrent prostatitis, are still pending.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative changes in the interphalangeal joints of his right fifth finger are likely residuals of his inservice crush injury, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's status post hernia repair, effective from January 30, 2002. The issue of service connection for gastritis was also addressed and resolved in favor of the veteran.

The RO granted service connection for painful keratosis of the right foot and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, but the case is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that the veteran's left clavicle disability, while symptomatic and manifesting post-surgical shortening with some spur formation, did not meet the criteria for an initial or staged rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's residuals of shell fragment wound of the right pleural cavity, and a disability rating of 30 percent for his residuals of shell fragment wound involving muscle group I.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and partial lateral meniscectomy, warrants a 20 percent evaluation since October 1, 2002. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's muscle loss of the left chest warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the appellant's hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The claim to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a skin disability, finding that no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the appellant does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an undescended left testicle, which was previously denied in October 1955.