Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran's service medical records do not show a chronic foot condition during his active military service. Post-service treatment records also fail to document any current diagnosis of a bilateral foot condition. Therefore, the Board finds that service connection for a bilateral foot condition is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for low white blood cell count/leukopenia and an initial, compensable rating for fungal infection of the feet and nails due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, provide the veteran with appropriate notice, and schedule him for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's residuals of anterior tibial fascial herniorrhaphies, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals from a shell fragment wound in his right leg, finding that the new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right hallux valgus is being remanded to allow for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hip disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file, including obtaining treatment records and providing VCAA notice regarding increased severity impact on employment and daily life.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected scars of the face and jaw, finding that they result in visible asymmetry of the lower lip, chin, and left jaw. The right hand arthritis is evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting examinations to assess the veteran's disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for panic disorder and bilateral visual field impairment, as well as effective dates for TDIU and benefits for dependents are remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits due to her previous marriage to C.P. and the subsequent invalidity of her marriage to the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine if the veteran's right and left leg conditions are related to his service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and readjudication, including a detailed audit of Chapter 31 VRE benefits and disability compensation payments.

The Board found that the veteran's pilonidal disease was a preexisting condition and not aggravated by service. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for residuals of pilonidal disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's in-service episode of pityriasis rosea resolved and is not currently present. The current skin conditions (onychomycosis, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris) are separate from the service-connected condition of pityriasis rosea.

The Board denied service connection for stomach and bladder disorders, but granted service connection for bronchogenic carcinoma (lung cancer) status post right upper lobectomy due to mustard gas exposure. The veteran's lung cancer was not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition, claimed as teeth shifting after wisdom teeth pulled and a failed implant and bone graft for tooth 14 with soreness and sensitivity at bone graft donor site, is remanded due to incomplete records from VA dental clinics. The case will be returned to the Board once these records are obtained.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of death and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim for VA nonservice-connected death benefits.