Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's lower extremity neurological defects are not related to his service-connected residuals of mechanical low back pain and determined that there is no link between these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic otitis externa of the left ear. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of his current condition and whether it is related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service did not qualify for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of basic eligibility.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension because no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim, and the service of her husband did not meet the requirements for VA pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a urological examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected chronic right epididymitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as onychomycosis, is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right hip/leg disorder did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including scoliosis, arthritis, and stenosis, is related to his service. The evidence shows that he had a pre-existing scoliosis in service which developed into arthritis and stenosis later on. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left leg injury, status post-left leg skin graft (Muscle Group XI), was denied as the disability does not more closely resemble that of an amputation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malnutrition and residuals of hard labor and torture as there is no competent evidence indicating that he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV infection and AIDS, as well as reopening of his low back, gastrointestinal, and headache service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to HIV or AIDS.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's admission to Edward John Noble Hospital was authorized in advance, whether it was emergent, and if VA facilities were available at the time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's skin disorder is rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his residuals of pneumonia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran does not have any residuals of in-service dental treatment, including gingivectomy, beyond the scope of the intended effects. The Veteran's in-service dental treatment met the usual and customary standard of periodontal care without causing unintended dental trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected right forearm amputation does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's Porphyria Cutanea Tarda was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's Hodgkin's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The preponderance of evidence did not establish a connection between the Veteran's Hodgkin's disease and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the Louisville RO. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.