Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the veteran has an asbestos-related lung disorder, and to assess whether any current respiratory disorders are related to service. The appeal is pending further development.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied her claim.

The Board granted increased ratings for the veteran's residuals of a wound to the left leg, with a maximum rating of 20 percent effective February 22, 2006. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for impairment of the common peroneal nerve secondary to service-connected residuals of a wound to the left leg.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip pain, as well as evaluations for his left knee conditions. The appeals were not successful.

The Board found that the veteran's spinal stenosis was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits in the amount of $32,508 was denied due to misrepresentation.

The VA determined that the veteran's pulmonary fibrosis is not related to his service, including any potential asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted a compensable initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected diverticulosis, effective January 15, 2004. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for a digestive disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current umbilical hernia is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran withdrew her appeal, requesting that the Board dismiss it.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, finding no current diagnosis of the condition and thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected ulcerative colitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating.

The veteran seeks reimbursement for treatment at a private medical facility in June 2005. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining records from the Daytona Beach VA Outpatient Clinic on and around June 10, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-polio syndrome, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current disability to his period of service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional medical development regarding his shell fragment wound to the left thigh, Muscle Group XIV.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, which was secondary to a service-connected cold injury of the feet, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's disorder. The veteran is seeking service connection for tonsillar, throat, and oropharyngeal cancer.

The VA has determined that the veteran's spine disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective April 12, 2007, due to increased flare-ups resulting in functional loss of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for Bright's disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.