Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the reduction from full-dollar rate to 50 percent rate for VA disability compensation benefits was proper, and thus denies the appeal.

The Board found no evidence to support that the Veteran's fractured left hip was caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of fracture of the tibia and fibula. The examiner concluded there is no evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions are denied as not well grounded.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right medial meniscectomy does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and updated records.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her spouse as a dependent is granted to March 1, 2000, subject to the recoupment of military separation pay.

The Veteran's loss of the maxilla, in the area of teeth numbers 7 through 10, has been rated at 30 percent since April 5, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, finding that there was no evidence linking the disease to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the left proximal fibula is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5262 for a moderate knee disability. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and impact on the Veteran's daily functioning.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and employment application information, as well as to conduct an ophthalmology examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral blindness will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left chest do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting gastrointestinal condition was aggravated by military service, and therefore grants service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's right total hip replacement was not shown to be productive of markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion for the period beginning August 1, 2004. Therefore, he is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's spouse and custodial parent of their three children is seeking an increased monthly apportionment in excess of $625.00 of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits. The case is being remanded for additional financial information from the Veteran, as well as providing him with the content of his wife's appeal to ensure he is aware of any potential changes that could affect his benefit payments.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's spine to determine if his current arthritis is related to service. The appeal will be considered again after this additional development.

The Board found that the evidence received since the June 2001 denial was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of both legs due to outstanding VA treatment records from the Orlando VAMC.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as the claim for recognition of the appellant as his dependent has become moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current symptoms of cold pain and paresthesias in his feet are reasonably attributable to cold exposure during service, leading to a grant of service connection for residuals of cold injury of both feet.