Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by military service, and granted service connection for it. However, as there are no service-connected disabilities to evaluate for TDIU purposes, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected otitis media is not manifested by suppuration or aural polyps, and he does not have bilateral hearing loss prior to September 10, 2007. As of September 10, 2007, the Veteran has Level V hearing loss in the right ear and Level VII hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for otitis media and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left soleus muscle disability was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective March 24, 2009. The low back disability issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested as lumps on the left thigh is denied because there is no competent medical evidence of a current chronic disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for burial benefits as his body was not held by a state or national cemetery. The claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for mixed mold mycotoxicosis and toxic encephalopathy, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran's lingual edema was not currently shown.,Mixed mold mycotoxicosis and toxic encephalopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected social phobia has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board determined that the appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits as he did not become permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18 years.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left fifth finger disability, as the provided evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected porphyria cutanea tarda.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hammer toes of the left and right feet have been denied as there is no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of removal of a pituitary tumor are not manifested by three crises or five or more episodes during any year, throughout the period on appeal. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board determined that the character of the Appellant's May 13, 1970 discharge from military service bars payment of monetary veterans' compensation and pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder was incurred in, or caused by, his military service and grants service connection for a low back disorder.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the appellant's service-connected basal cell carcinoma, currently rated at 30 percent. The disability involves skin lesions with scarring from removal and covers five to seven percent of exposed and total skin area without use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected right inguinal hernia, finding that the evidence did not show it was postoperative or recurrent and well-supported by truss or belt.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound to the right thigh resulted in a moderate disability, warranting an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a non-service connected pension was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.