Other conditions decisions — 2010

The appellant contends that he has a rib disability as a result of an in-service injury. The VA is directed to obtain all of the appellant's VA treatment records from April 2007 to present, including records from the Louisville VAMC on February 14, 2009. If no such records are available, they must be indicated. After completing any additional development deemed indicated, the case should be readjudicated and if necessary, a supplemental statement of the case issued.

The Veteran's disability manifested by the residuals of cerebrovascular accident is not shown to be due to service or any other event, and thus denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the residuals of his left hemithorax gunshot wound was denied. The VA determined that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and nature of his disability.

The Veteran's income for 2008 was found to be excessive, preventing him from meeting the basic income eligibility requirements for VA disability pension benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current residuals of dental trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for discoid lupus, finding that her condition is at least as likely as not related to her period of service.

The Veteran's sebaceous cyst at the right axilla is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and no higher, due to its limited impact on his body area and exposed areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for supraventricular tachycardia and multiple uterine leiomyoma, as well as her request to reopen her claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability was rated at 10 percent, and his right elbow epicondylitis with arthritis and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome were both rated as non-compensable. The RO granted a partial increased rating for the right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome effective May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations and earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right hand strain are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran does not have loss of use of the right upper extremity, as he demonstrated a level of function in his arm and hand that exceeds an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left thigh pain was denied, and his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of shell fragment wound to the left leg with damage to Muscle Groups XI and XII prior to October 1, 2008 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of his lower extremities is not related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, including those from his hospitalization in 1952. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service treatment records were not completely associated with his claims file when his claim was originally denied in September 1997. The effective date of the grant of service connection for a left great toe wart removal with residual post-digital block numbness is set at January 22, 1997.

The Board found that the appellant's left upper extremity disability existed before her service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including service treatment records and any relevant medical records from Germany.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent evaluation for ulcerative colitis is being remanded due to missing relevant treatment records.