Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's duodenal ulcers, status post laparotomy, have been shown to be productive of no more than moderately severe manifestations. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right great toe and right hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left ulnar nerve entrapment has been manifested by neurological symptoms approximating no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. As a result, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shrapnel injuries to both legs, but denied these claims on their merits. The evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran's current varicose veins and his military service.

The Board has ordered the RO to send a corrected VCAA notice and formally adjudicate the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for peroneal nerve palsy with left foot drop, attributing the denial to a lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is denied. His claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected post-operative valvular heart disability, including the presence and extent of congestive heart failure. The issues of an increased rating for rheumatic valvulitis, aortic and mitral valve deformity, and aortic valve replacement residuals and a total rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right eye vision impairment is due to refractive error and not attributable to any disease or injury incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for a right eye disability, including partial blindness, is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current genital herpes is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right inguinal herniorrhaphy is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board finds that a low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and thus, does not warrant service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his respiratory disorder, claimed as residuals of pneumonia. The Board finds there is a further duty to assist the Veteran with his claim and remands it for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a facial injury with right eye blurring. The case is now remanded to allow for further development and examination, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran is not totally unemployable due to her service-connected foot disabilities, as she was capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and missing VA medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper spine condition will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left little finger injury does not warrant a compensable rating as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or amputation.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a pilonidal cyst are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for a single painful scar under Diagnostic Code 7804. Therefore, an increased rating higher than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's myocardial infarction did not occur during his active duty service or within one year thereafter, and there was no evidence of a connection between his current condition and any period of service. As such, service connection for the myocardial infarction was denied.