Other conditions decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the June 2002 VA examination and the need for additional VCAA notice.

The Board has granted separate, increased ratings of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected multiple right foot calluses and left foot calluses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's defective hearing in his right ear does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it only manifests at Level II hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's petition for an increased rating for residuals of a laceration of the left forearm, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other relevant regulations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pancreatitis and there is no evidence linking it to his military service. Therefore, service connection for pancreatitis was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment, and his alcoholism does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected post-concussion syndrome, which is higher than the initial noncompensable rating. The veteran's prostrating and debilitating headaches meet the criteria for this increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding no current evidence of such a condition and noting that any reported symptoms were not linked to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection of the residuals of a shrapnel injury of the skull has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a staph infection on his face and a crushed foot injury. The skin disability claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral defective hearing, reopening a previously denied gastrointestinal disorder claim, and increased ratings for pseudoaphakia of the right eye and fungal disorder of the fingernails and toenails. The veteran's case is being returned to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, D.C.

The appeal is being remanded due to the absence of relevant records from the veteran's VA claims folder, including service personnel records and a hearing transcript. Additional development and notification are required.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals and fungus infection is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records. The RO must attempt to obtain these records, provide a VA examination, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current foot problems are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death (metastatic prostate carcinoma) was not related to service exposure to ionizing radiation and denied the claim for service connection on direct basis due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to November 25, 2003 for the award of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hand tremors were not incurred in or aggravated by her service, and denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran claims service connection for a shrapnel injury to his right calf, but the RO has not found evidence of an injury or explosion. Additional development is needed by obtaining the unit history of the 69th Naval Construction Battalion.