Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that additional action is required to address the claims for service connection due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's hereditary coagulopathy with Factor VIII deficiency is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 1, 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Reiter's syndrome and eye disability are related to his active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be handled by the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening a claim for service connection for epidermal fibrosis of the feet with rash of the head and back, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee. The veteran was not granted any new evaluations.

The Board found no evidence of a left groin disability in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lobital tunnel syndrome of the left elbow is as likely as not related to his service-connected postoperative fusion of the left wrist, with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, status post carpal tunnel release. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his undiagnosed stomach condition was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right little finger deformity warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the highest non-compensable rating available under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board found that there is no evidence of service connection for syphilis and denied the veteran's claim.

The veteran's service-connected left foot stress fracture residuals are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The right foot Morton's neuroma is not considered service connected, and the bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and low back disabilities were also not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the appellant has not submitted acceptable evidence of qualified military service for VA disability benefits and therefore denied their claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-phlebitis syndrome with associated varicose veins of the left leg does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 19, 2002 for service connection of chronic prostatitis with recurrent urinary tract infection is denied as there was no intent on his part to apply for compensation after a final denial in February 1978.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected deformities of the right and left ears more nearly approximate two characteristics of disfigurement, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer is currently in remission and does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's spouse needed regular aid and attendance as of December 15, 1990, which is considered an informal claim. The effective date for the award of increased compensation based on his spouse being in need of regular aid and attendance was granted to January 28, 2000.