Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his right testicle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected shrapnel wound residuals, to include entitlement to a separate rating for scars, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's branchial cyst, claimed as a tracheal cyst, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The presumption of soundness is rebutted.

The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual rate for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and her claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired eye disorder, including cataracts, on a secondary basis due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Veteran's claim for improved pension benefits based on service in the United States Merchant Marine is denied as his active duty service did not meet the minimum 90-day requirement during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of cold injury, involving the lips, face, and ears. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic retinopathy of the right eye is currently manifested by an irregularity of the retina that results in an irregular image, but without visual impairment. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with duodenal ulcer was not incurred in or aggravated during active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's heart disability, aortic insufficiency post valve replacement, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The appellant is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits from May 1, 2005 to June 30, 2009 due to her voluntary withdrawal of Medicare Part B coverage.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neurological disability, including residuals of a paralytic episode on the left side of the body, is not related to an event or injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for moderate restrictive lung disease is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the most representative test result reflecting his disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is more likely than not related to his military service, raising a reasonable doubt in favor of granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of myocardial infarction are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiorespiratory arrest due to hepatoma, and the Board finds no service connection is warranted for either condition.

The Board granted service connection for Hirayama disease, finding that the Veteran's condition is likely due to a known clinical diagnosis and as likely as not had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left hand and nail disorders are not related to service, including as due to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current liver disorder to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral leg phlebitis alone does not render him unemployable, as he has multiple other medical comorbidities that prevent him from being employed.