Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board denied 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, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur chronic stomach ulcers in service and therefore, service connection for stomach ulcers is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for his postoperative herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between this condition and his service-connected residuals of a fractured left second toe with a split nail.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip arthritis is service-connected, resolving in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of rectal cancer have been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a splenectomy was denied as there are no additional complications from the removal of the spleen that can be rated separately, and the current 30 percent rating has been continuously in effect for more than 20 years.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to ensure proper VCAA notice and to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications resulting from surgery he underwent in May 1996 at the VA Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and for a VA medical examination to determine if the veteran's skin condition is related to his military service, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The veteran will be notified of their right to request a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left inguinal hernia does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection of right foot enthesopathy as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right heel spur.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a left eye disability has been reopened, but new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The claims for higher rating for right wrist laceration and tinnitus remain unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC benefits based on a lack of evidence showing that his death was caused by an illness or disease incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board is remanding the case to verify if the appellant was married to the veteran for over a year at the time of his death, which is necessary to establish eligibility for DIC benefits.

The veteran's cause of death, mesothelioma, is not service-connected as there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during his period of active service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back injury and residuals of pilonidal cyst, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of VA vocational rehabilitation services was improper, and thus grants the veteran's appeal.

The veteran is seeking service connection for TMJ syndrome. The VA examiner found the condition less likely related to his military service, citing a 35-year gap since the injury and other potential causes such as clenching or grinding of teeth.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for an effective date prior to March 23, 2006, for pension benefits based on her husband's death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a sprain of the left great toe due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no current disability related to service by competent medical evidence.