Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of award for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic neck strain warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of service connection (October 31, 2000).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing gunshot wound residuals were not aggravated during his service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected gastritis and duodenitis, as well as secondary service connection for depression and IBS, were denied by the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's pleural thickening is not at all disabling and denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a wound to the left leg, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mitral valve prolapse warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting evidence of cardiac dilatation on echocardiogram studies.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for urticaria, finding that he was already receiving the highest possible schedular rating. The case was remanded to consider whether a higher extra-schedular evaluation could be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes traumatic arthritis and ACL injury, warrants a maximum rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected tonsillectomy residuals. The decision was based on the evidence and law available at that time, and no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is found.

The veteran's lung disorder claim is being remanded for further review due to the submission of new medical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his service, including as a former POW. The cause of death listed is bronchogenic cancer, which is not presumed for former POWs.

The Board has denied the reduction of the total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability, effective October 1, 2005. The issue regarding a change in vocational rehabilitation training program remains pending.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for urticaria with angioedema, the maximum available under VA regulations, effective from the date of service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer with metastases in the pelvis and prostate, as a result of exposure to herbicides, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the June 2003 retropayment of death pension benefits was proper, and thus denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability for accrued benefit purposes.

The veteran's claims for residuals of fractures of the left and right fibula were denied. Service connection was granted for degenerative disc/joint disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, but a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran's hiatal hernia/GERD claim was granted.

The veteran's bacterial meningitis, cerebrospinal fever, with left leg weakness is manifested by muscle atrophy and sensory disturbance. The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for this condition.