Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right foot is not proximately due to or chronically worsened by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and atopic dermatitis, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's RBBB condition is essentially asymptomatic and does not cause or contribute to his current cardiac symptomatology, including diminished MET levels and left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a compensation examination to assess the severity of his bilateral foot calluses during an 'active' stage or outbreak.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the evaluation for Wilson's disease, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hip, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue now moves forward to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's broken fillings, periodontal infections, receding gums, and need for several crowns are considered service-connected as secondary to his service-connected lymphoepithelial tumor of the left tongue.

The Veteran's jaw disability is not manifested by inter-incisal range of 20 millimeters or less, chronic osteomyelitis or osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla or mandible, any loss of the mandible, nonunion of the mandible, any loss of the ramus, any loss of the condyloid or coronoid process, any loss of the hard palate, or any loss or malunion of the maxilla. The Veteran's jaw disability is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 9904.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his right eye disorder and Bartonellosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vision impairment is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an eye disorder, but further development is needed to determine if any current eye condition resulted from a pre-existing defect or was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed ear and bladder conditions are not related to his active service, including a head injury he suffered in March 2001. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left leg disorder, rated at 40 percent prior to August 17, 2009 and at 60 percent thereafter, has been granted. The right leg disorder, currently rated at 40 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's request for non-service connected death pension benefits due to the Veteran not having qualifying service for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for an examination of his right long and ring fingers to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected disability.

The Board has directed a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left eye disability, including any effects of his recent lens implant procedure. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional evidence if needed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current L4-5 herniated disc is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for loss of vision in the right eye, which he claims was incurred during service. He also seeks secondary service connection based on his service-connected laceration of the right forehead. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to locate his Army Reserve records and obtain SSA disability benefits records.