Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board found that the July 1988 rating decision denying service connection for right testicular atrophy was the product of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's conversion disorder, finding that he is demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment due to his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Wegener's Granulomatosis with residuals warrants a 30 percent disability evaluation since May 26, 2006. Prior to this date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a right leg injury during service and does not have deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus as a result of an in-service injury. Therefore, his claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's disability compensation has increased, and the appellant needs to provide updated financial information regarding child support payments. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the criteria used to establish a rating for muscle injuries and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The veteran's muscle injuries to each buttock will be evaluated, including any scarring from shrapnel wounds.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete VA examinations and the need for further evaluation of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically regarding his need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the claims for service connection for herpes zoster Ramsay Hunt syndrome and spondylolisthesis and spondylosis, as well as the TDIU claim. The veteran's current medical records will be reviewed, and he will be provided with appropriate notice regarding his rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn's disease, which he claimed was due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA determined that there is no positive association between exposure to herbicides and gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have residuals of mumps, including testicular atrophy, hydroceles and varicosities, related to service. The most probative evidence shows no current abnormalities or absence of the testicles.

The veteran's perifollicular capitas absenden et suffodiens is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to June 12, 2003 and no higher than 30 percent thereafter.

The veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the base of the second and third metacarpals of the left hand, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for accrued benefits due to her failure to file a timely application for these benefits.

The Board is reopening the claims for service connection for residuals of head and back injuries on the basis of new and material evidence. The case will be REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC, for further development and readjudication on the underlying merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and hemochromatosis, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's status-post compression fracture of L1-L2, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of compression fracture, T8 did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as his symptoms were consistent with the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer and service connection for dysthymic disorder. The veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board found no evidence of more severe symptoms warranting a higher rating. Service connection for dysthymic disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of aid and attendance.,Proper appellate posture for review by the Board has not been acquired for the matters concerning claimed error in the Board decisions dated in 1947, 1962, 1963, 1984, and 1986. The claims of error in these decisions are dismissed without prejudice to refiling.