Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of service connection for a dental condition.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service connection for status post concussion, mild paralysis of the left side of the face, or a cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under DC 7806. Service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disability are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have residuals of bilateral hand and foot cold injury, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected fracture of the right fifth metacarpal is being remanded due to insufficient consideration of diagnostic codes and an unclear August 2004 VA medical examiner's opinion. The Veteran will be scheduled for another orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his medical records. The issues on appeal are related to an increased rating for his left thigh injury and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disorder and impotency, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claims for arthritis of various joints. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his diabetes, but he also reported a history of frostbite in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not warrant a higher evaluation, and his combined disability rating was sufficient to meet the requirements for TDIU.

The Board found that the appellant's income was excessive for receiving nonservice-connected death pension benefits, as her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) specified by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for malaria and rheumatic fever, finding that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during his period of active service.,Service connection was also granted for mitral valve disorder as secondary to rheumatic fever and malaria.

The VA Board found no evidence of dental trauma in service that would support a finding of service connection for the current upper and lower teeth disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of Lyme Disease are service-connected as they can be traced back to tick bites sustained during active duty for training in May/June 1987 at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left varicocele.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left biceps muscle rupture, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical records and provide the appellant with corrective VCAA notice. The Veteran's death may be related to service-connected conditions, but further review by a VA physician is needed to determine this.

The Board finds that there is no current disability of a left side hernia or varicocele, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that such conditions were incurred in service. The Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are outweighed by the contemporaneous medical records indicating a left varicocele.

The Veteran's present respiratory disorders are not etiologically related to any incident of active military service, including asbestos exposure.