Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his stomach disability and providing him with a duty to assist notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is on appeal.

The Veteran's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided by Stonewalk Jackson Memorial Hospital and United Hospital Center are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition. The claim to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for schizophrenic reaction, claimed as a nervous disorder, has been granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not timely appeal the denial of his claim for special monthly pension based on needing aid and attendance or being housebound. The RO had already granted him SMP to the extent it was predicated on being housebound, but denied it to the extent it was based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic genitourinary disorder. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral venous insufficiency was incurred due to active duty for training, and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent plasmacytoma, status post removal right sixth rib, and left mandibular lesion with recurrent left thoracic paraspinal region was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of skin, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU, finding that the available schedular evaluations were adequate. The claim for a TDIU was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to October 6, 2003. From October 6, 2003 to January 6, 2005, the Veteran did not have symptoms that warranted a 20% rating. After January 6, 2005, there were no current ulcer symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for back and neck injuries, including arthritic changes. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed under a secondary theory of entitlement as they may be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a partial amputation of the left little finger and post-operative status of a left ring finger tendon repair, finding that his condition is most analogous to being manifested by amputation of the ring and little fingers of the left (minor) hand.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for varicose veins of the left leg prior to October 1, 2008 and granted a 20 percent rating effective October 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action, including scheduling a VA examination and determining if the appellant's varicose veins are related to service.

The Veteran's skin rash and hyperplasia of the prostate were not found to be related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of varicose veins of the left leg currently, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and stenosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7, is related to his service. The medical evidence supports this finding, including a March 1967 in-service injury and multiple post-service opinions linking the condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of the amputation of the left index and middle fingers warrant a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for ulnar nerve compression neuropathy of the left elbow is granted.