Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected compression fracture, L1, without deformity is currently rated at 20 percent and his right ankle fracture does not warrant a higher rating. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pterygium, which did not affect his visual acuity prior to October 21, 2009, resulted in a loss of vision equivalent to 10/200 in one eye and 20/70 in the other as of October 21, 2009. This meets the criteria for a 50% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected intermittent right chest wall pain, associated with a minimal scar, myofascial pain, and intercostal neuralgia of the right seventh, eighth, and ninth intercostal nerves, did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran died of terminal pneumonia due to abdominal carcinomatosis, which is not service-connected. The appellant argues that the cause of death may be related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected sebaceous cysts do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mood disorder not otherwise specified is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, is dismissed. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of an abdominal injury, bilateral scrotal disability, and bilateral elbow osteophytes were all denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for the latter two conditions.,Service connection was established for bilateral elbow osteophytes but not for the other conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and the claims of service connection for Crohn's disease, chronic chest inflammation, and a right hip disorder, claimed as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran was granted service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for accrued benefits purposes, effective from the date of his death in March 2006.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was also granted, effective as of the date of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is linked to his brain disorder, resulting in white matter changes. The Veteran also has a cerebrovascular disease with white matter changes that is at least as likely as not caused by his hypertension.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of their children in her custody, finding that the Veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for supporting the children and there was no hardship to justify a special apportionment.

The Veteran's panic disorder is found to be related to her active military service, specifically a hit-and-run incident during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for reopening a chronic stomach disorder service connection is remanded. The SMC claim is also remanded to determine if the Veteran requires higher level of care due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome has been evaluated as mild and does not warrant a higher rating. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for each service-connected left and right calcaneal fracture, as the evidence supports this level of disability based on moderate symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected bursitis of the left hip does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.