Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left foot disability, specifically Freiberg's disease of the second toe, has been rated at 20 percent since July 1, 1999. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted starting from April 24, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for defective hearing of the right ear, finding that it is related to military service.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's inservice herbicide exposure, specifically dioxin, was a direct or contributory cause of his death by metastatic colon cancer. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for disability manifested by bilateral lower extremity pain, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's postoperative deviated nasal septum is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular evaluation under applicable criteria. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's joint pain is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's Baker's cyst of the left popliteal fossa is currently rated at 20 percent, and his TDIU claim was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include increased ratings for trigger finger of the right thumb and left ring fingers, as well as TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including Crohn's disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's congestive heart failure is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD. As a result, the claim for service connection for congestive heart failure is granted.

The Veteran's prostatitis was found to have manifested significant voiding dysfunction, urinary frequency, obstructed voiding, or urinary tract infection symptoms during the period through September 27, 2010. However, beginning September 28, 2010, his prostatitis only manifested urinary frequency symptom of a daytime voiding interval between 1 and 2 hours.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders, including blurred vision and watering eyes, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had their onset during service or were caused by any event or injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, for treatment purposes, is denied as there is no evidence of a dental injury or condition incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shingles and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchitis with segmental resection of the right lung, with history of pulmonary hemoptysis. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the shingles to active duty service.

The Veteran's bruxism is found to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pelvic disorder, specifically pelvic pain, was denied as there is no evidence to support the assertion that her current condition is related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia was granted effective August 18, 1997. The initial non-compensable rating remains in effect for the period from August 18, 1997 to October 5, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.