Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, dysthymic disorder, is related to his service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a systolic murmur.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left tibia fracture residuals was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's brain tumor and its residuals were not found to have onset in service or be caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for varicose veins of the right leg was denied. The Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating schedule. Additionally, the TDIU claim was also denied as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected disability prevented him from obtaining or maintaining all gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left eye cataract and subsequent YAG laser capsulotomy are likely due to in-service trauma, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Veteran's cause of death, intestinal infarction due to mesenteric artery occlusion due to arteriosclerosis, is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's metastatic transitional cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The evidence does not support a finding that his cancer was related to his in-service duties as a radium stripper, nor is there any other evidence linking his fatal condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's varicose veins of both legs have been rated at the maximum allowable under DC 7120, warranting a 60 percent evaluation for each leg.

The Veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh are productive of severe impairment of muscle group XVII, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his service record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection regarding a transfusion reaction with blood antibody D is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back and right hip disorders are service-connected, with a nexus to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after the last decision.

The Veteran's patellar tendinitis, status post stress fracture of the right knee has been rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2007. The current evaluation is appropriate given his symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a tear of the left Achilles tendon, finding that it is proximately due to and/or permanently aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a dermatological disability that he claims began in service and has continued to worsen since. The Board finds the competent medical evidence insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's current dermatological disability is chloracne (or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne) as would entitle him to presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides during service. A remand is required for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to determine the diagnosis of his current dermatological disability and whether it is related to active duty service, including as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trigeminal neuralgia is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for VA benefits or the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, and thus denied both claims.