Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the disability is related to his active duty service, particularly given his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected loss of taste and complete loss of sense of smell have been denied as there is no evidence of a complete loss of these senses since the most recent testing.

The veteran claims service connection for a cut on his left hand sustained during service. The VA has requested additional records and will review the case again after receiving them.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to being housebound has been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the reduction of the veteran's disability compensation benefits to one-half the 10 percent rate, effective March 26, 2002, due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The veteran's lung disease claim was denied, but his fungal infection of the feet was granted an increased evaluation to 10 percent with an earlier effective date. The decision is mixed as it includes both a denial and a grant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pathology slides and having an independent pathologist review the veteran's April 2002 liver biopsy. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and no presumptive conditions were established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's right hip and right great toe conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh and an increased (compensable) initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected residuals of appendectomy and ingrown toenail surgery, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed respiratory disorder or colon cancer due to service. The veteran's assertions regarding symptoms were not supported by medical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bladder dysfunction and an increased rating for his low back disability due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that pancreatic cancer was not related to his service, including any herbicide or radiation exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected compression fracture of the L-2 vertebrae with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased rating for post-operative residuals of anal fissure.

The veteran's appeal involves increased evaluations for his service-connected stress fractures of the right and left heels, as well as a compensable evaluation for a 'left leg sprain'. The RO has granted 10 percent disability ratings for these conditions but did not address an earlier effective date. The case is being remanded to correct procedural defects.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pterygia is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for aortic valve insufficiency and aortic stenosis, status post aortic valve replacement is granted. His left shoulder disability claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied the claim as the appellant does not have a form or manifestation of spina bifida, which is required for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805.