Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and an increased evaluation for residuals of ovarian cysts.,There is no evidence that the veteran's current conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was cardiopulmonary arrest due to candida sepsis and esophago-gastric cancer.

The veteran's varicose veins of the legs and right leg were rated at 30 percent prior to January 12, 1998. Beginning January 12, 1998, her rating for varicose veins of the left leg was increased to 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred or related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bone and skin disorders are not causally related to his in-service radiation exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of trauma, lacerations, and contusions to the left side of the face was denied by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for demyelinating disease with incoordination of the lower extremities and paresis of the extraocular muscles, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have aggravated his venous stasis ulcers of the legs, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right oophorectomy is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not show that her symptoms are not controlled by continuous treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dental and jaw conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service trauma or a causal link to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral vascular disease and its residuals, including recurrent transient ischemic attacks, cerebrovascular accidents, visual impairment, and loss of sex drive, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board also determined there was no legal basis to establish entitlement to secondary service connection for these conditions based on nicotine dependence.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for dermatophytosis of the feet, finding that the clinical findings did not support a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cysts, finding no competent evidence indicating current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for phlebitis with pulmonary embolism prior to December 6, 2002 and an increased rating. The claim for service connection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with stent placement was also denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of left hip fracture. The claims for chest pain and groin pain have both been denied as they are not shown to be related to active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left-sided cerebral vascular accident. The independent medical opinion provided by Dr. Felton III supports a finding that the stroke and its residuals are at least as likely as not related to the in-service neck abscess.

The Board has granted service connection for cumulative emboli and varicose veins as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left varicocele. The issue of an increased evaluation for the left varicocele is referred back to the RO.

The veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the St. Louis RO.

The veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU was not timely filed, and the Board denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for her service-connected Crohn's disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.