Other conditions decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals have been rated as 35 percent combined with other conditions. The RO has assigned separate ratings for the right deltoid, biceps, and triceps muscles after July 3, 1997, based on their respective moderate severity.

The veteran's service-connected cholesteatoma, left ear, status post partial atticotomy is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash, finding no competent medical evidence linking the condition to active military service.

The Board found that the appellant and the veteran did not continuously cohabitate, leading to a denial of her claim for surviving spouse benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing back condition did not undergo aggravation or increase in disability during service and is not related to active duty. Therefore, service connection for a compression fracture of T9-T10 (claimed as back, neck, and left hip pain) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteomyelitis and assigned an initial noncompensable rating, which was later increased to a 10% rating.

The veteran's death was caused by metastatic adenocarcinoma, which may not be service-connected under current regulations. The appeal is being remanded to determine if the veteran served in Vietnam and whether he was exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and limited medical evidence. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered on the merits.

The Board found that the veteran's stomach disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current diarrhea to his period of active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current memory loss and insomnia, both of which were first noted shortly after service. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg and foot disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses and no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and medical opinion regarding the service connection of a brain tumor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals, fracture distal shaft left tibia do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis with urgency, frequency, and leakage does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's narcolepsy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not approximate the equivalent of at least one major seizure in the last two years or two minor seizures within the past six months. The claim for an increased disability rating was therefore denied.

The appellant's guerrilla service during World War II is not considered qualifying service for VA benefits, as the National Personnel Records Center has certified that he had no such service. The claim of basic eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits was denied.

The VA denied the veteran's request for higher ratings for his service-connected chronic colitis with microscopic anemia. The initial rating of 60 percent was assigned effective March 28, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pleural plaques and fibrotic changes in both lungs do not result in impairment of pulmonary function, thus denying an initial compensable rating.