Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, respiratory failure due to or as a consequence of left multiloculated empyema and/or left panlobar pneumonia with metastatic colon cancer contributing to death, is not related to any service-connected disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and perianal fistulas. The case must be remanded to obtain clarification on the nature of his gastrointestinal disability and whether any are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and VCAA compliance issues. The appellant's claim for an effective date for Chapter 35 benefits prior to March 14, 2002 is pending.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's organic brain syndrome with alcohol dependence during the specified period.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral lower leg disorder that was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death, nor was alcoholism shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected post phlebitic syndrome of the left lower extremity with residuals of varicose veins, postoperative status.

The VA determined that the veteran's healed left lung granuloma does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is asymptomatic and does not cause any respiratory or lung impairment.

The Board denied an increased rating for gastritis, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the veteran is not entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code due to her discharge from Reserve duty on September 30, 1990 and lack of reenlistment within one year.

The veteran's prostatectomy residuals, including urinary incontinence and sexual impotence, are service connected due to exposure to toxic herbicides during his military service. His coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left elbow disability related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran is not unemployable due solely to his service-connected right elbow disability, and thus denies the claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disorder was not incurred or aggravated during her active duty service and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left elbow disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence showed that the veteran had limited range of motion in his left elbow but no additional limitation due to repetitive use or flare-ups. His pain did not result in a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have diagnosed conditions of muscle spasms, memory loss, or skin rash due to undiagnosed illness during service and denied all claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current skin disorder related to the veteran's military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, myocardial infarction, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a right ulnar nerve transposition.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's thoracic spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.