Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original January 2001 rating decision that granted service connection for residuals of paralytic polio. Therefore, service connection is being restored.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further action due to incomplete records and need for clarification of previous opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right fifth finger deformity is service-connected and that his chronic disability resulting from an illness or combination of illnesses manifested by fatigue, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, and sleep impairment is related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of gout and compensation for stomach disorder (including an aortic aneurysm) and chest pain and elevated blood pressure, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's lymphedema and neurological impairment of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 100 percent, while her left lower extremity lymphedema with neurological impairment is rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right hip disability is being remanded to allow for additional medical records and potential development of the case.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than June 27, 2000 for the assignment of a compensable (10 percent) disability rating for service-connected residuals of post-operative right Achilles tendon rupture is denied as there was no pending claim prior to this date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left fibula fracture with degenerative joint disease, finding that his condition did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a gastrointestinal disorder that is a residual of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke and cardiovascular disease as secondary to his service-connected dysthymia. The decision found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's serous otitis media of the right ear warrants a 10 percent disability evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA's Rating Schedule. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of carcinoma of the larynx, status post-hemilaryngectomy do not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for dental trauma, finding that there was no evidence showing a current disability or association with service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a review by a medical examiner to address specific questions regarding the veteran's cancer and its relation to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right eye retinal tear was not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including verification of his assertions regarding seeing fellow soldiers killed during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing corrective VCAA notice. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial evaluation for gout is on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and providing proper VCAA notice.