Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for an inguinal hernia as secondary to spastic colitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected hammertoes of both feet, finding that the veteran's conditions were at most minimally disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for essential tremor, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected uterine fibroid tumors are manifested by chronic abdominal/pelvic pain, heavy and irregular menses, bladder pressure, and constipation. The Board grants an initial 10 percent rating for her service-connected uterine fibroid tumors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of an injury to the left hamstring muscle and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a laparoscopic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a burn injury to the left foot due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current residuals.

The veteran's daughter is not entitled to recognition as a helpless child on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years.

The veteran is seeking service connection for right hip and leg disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the nature of these conditions and their relationship to the service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left inguinal hernia do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran suffered dental trauma to teeth #7 and #19 during his period of active military service, warranting service connection for these specific issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification and incomplete legal guidance regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected onychomycosis of the left great toe does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the veteran's muscle injury from the shell fragment wound did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent, as it was characterized as a moderate disability with no evidence of underlying loss of muscle tissue or significant functional impairment. The veteran is receiving separate ratings for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee and a well-healed scar.

The Board finds that the veteran's current dental problems in the area of his now-removed right lower wisdom tooth #32 are a result of his periodontal disease, and not due to trauma. Therefore, service connection for residuals of extraction of the right lower third molar is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant cannot be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefit purposes due to their divorce, which is not excusable under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion (0 to 130 degrees), does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for chronic urticaria and special monthly compensation for housebound status, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.