Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right great toe injury warrant a 20 percent evaluation, which is higher than the current 10 percent rating. The evidence supports this increased rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as veterans' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to determine if the veteran's memory loss and mycoplasma infection are related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claimed conditions of hypopituitarism, somatomedic C deficiency, and human growth hormone deficiency are not considered disabilities. The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine as they were not diagnosed during service or related to service.

The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's avascular necrosis of the hips is related to his first period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death from choriocarcinoma was caused by malignant cells present during service, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected post-operative chondromalacia of the right knee and post-operative meniscectomy of the left knee, as these conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, right hip disorder, and osteopenia. The veteran's claims of increased ratings for his skin disorder and low back disorder were also denied. Service connection for PTSD was established but not earlier than November 27, 2001.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected gout, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development in the form of VA examinations and further analysis regarding the veteran's claims for increased rating for alopecia areata, service connection for actinic keratosis and xerosis secondary to alopecia areata, and proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as there is no evidence that he met the requirements for a retroactive effective date due to hospitalization or incapacitation.

The veteran does not have Barrett's esophagus, colon polyps, or a skin disorder that are the result of exposure to ionizing radiation during his active military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for residuals of cataract surgery with aphakia, corneal edema, and corneal leukoma of the left eye is being remanded due to a material change in his disability status.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and the need for additional medical records from SSA.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as a surviving spouse due to her marriage not meeting the eligibility requirements.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected sprained proximal interphalangeal joints of the left fourth and fifth fingers, but denied her claims for service connection regarding her claimed left hip, right wrist, and right femur disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected head injury residuals are manifested by headaches, dizziness, and mild cognitive deficits. The Board found that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and failure to provide proper VCAA notice.