Other conditions decisions — 2009

The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was remanded for further development, including an opinion regarding the Veteran's employability solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as it was less likely than not that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of amputation of the left ring finger with chronic stump infection caused or contributed to his death.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing sleep disturbance disorder did not increase in severity during active military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of a stab wound to the left arm, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for zinc oxide poisoning, claimed as galvanized poisoning, due to a lack of medical evidence supporting a chronic condition and an opinion linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral deafness with otosclerosis and amputation of the left thumb, index finger, and middle finger were rated at 40 percent effective July 12, 2008, but no higher prior to that date.

The Veteran's disability manifested by residuals of ear middle ear pathology is due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh, Muscle Groups XIII and XV was increased to 40 percent effective from October 29, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disability caused his unemployability prior to May 15, 2002.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for additional development and adjudication.

The Board remands the claim to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper notice is provided.

The Board concluded that there is no legal basis for VA disability compensation benefits during the period from March 1, 1997 through the end of July 2002.

The appeal was remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a fractured right index finger was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a claim prior to March 9, 2000, or that he was entitled to a compensable rating in the year prior to his March 9, 2000, claim.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board granted service connection for bruxism secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on medical evidence linking the condition to his PTSD.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and adjudication of the claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits during a period of his incarceration.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim of service connection for gastroenteritis.