Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gynecological disorder, including her pelvic inflammatory disease, was incurred in service. The Board also found no evidence of a stomach or gastrointestinal disorder related to service and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected chip fracture of the fourth and fifth fingers of the left hand is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, to include dental trauma due to exposure to contaminated water during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied. The RO granted service connection for Tourette's syndrome with psychoneurotic disorders on May 28, 1998.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye cataract is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to cold weather during service and currently has residuals of frostbite injuries of the lower extremities as a result. Therefore, it is granted that he is entitled to service connection for his right and left foot disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board found that the Veteran died due to occlusive coronary arteriosclerosis, with old thrombosis/cardiomegaly, calcific aortic stenosis, and generalized arteriosclerosis. There is no evidence of additional disability caused by VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the hips and spine is related to his active service, specifically his combat experiences in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis and hypercholesterolemia, as well as an initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis B with elevated liver enzymes, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected stomach disability, to include a duodenal ulcer, is manifested by symptoms of abdominal pain, belching, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The Board finds that the criteria for an evaluation of 20 percent disabling have been met.

The Veteran's heart murmur did not cause symptoms at a workload of seven metabolic equivalents (METs) or worse prior to May 1, 2006. Since then, his METs level was only 7.70 and he had fatigue due to poor conditioning rather than the heart murmur.

The Board found that the Veteran's pulmonary disability was not present in service and is not etiologically related to his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder in service or until many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's left middle and ring fingers were surgically fused due to pre-existing conditions. The surgery resulted in additional disability, but the Board finds no fault on VA's part and thus denies compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cephalgia warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which approximates the criteria for such an evaluation. The Veteran experiences severe headaches weekly lasting about 10 to 15 minutes.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and thus no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to carcinoid tumor of the small bowel, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed based on exposure to Agent Orange. The criteria for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance were also not met.

The Veteran's left foot injury, which resulted in the amputation of his second and third toes, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted based on the severity of the disability.