Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, other than asbestosis, with related liver and spleen disorders, and for hypertension. The Veteran was seen for respiratory complaints in service but no current evidence supports these conditions being linked to his service-connected asbestosis or asbestos-related lung disease.

The Veteran's muscle aches and fatigue have been found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, with the benefit of doubt given in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for nail fungus of the hands and feet are being remanded due to a need for further examination and clarification.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's cervical spine and clarification of the opinions provided in previous examinations. The issues include service connection for residuals of a neck injury and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a final disallowed claim for gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left basal ganglia hemorrhage were rated at 70 percent prior to October 23, 2008 and in excess of 70 percent beginning October 23, 2008. The appeal was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral leg, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current skin disability that is attributable to his active service, including exposure to herbicides in service. The Board finds the Veteran's claim for service connection denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic partial penectomy residuals and awarded special monthly compensation based on the loss or the loss of use of a creative organ (SMC).

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability associated with the Veteran's reported chest pain and shaking, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for entitlement to service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, non-service-connected death pension benefits, and accrued benefits due to her timely submission of a notice of disagreement. The RO must issue a statement of the case on these issues.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of bilateral ear pain for which service connection can be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a head injury, including depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending and must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for malaria has been denied as there is no evidence of active malaria or its residuals.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual rate payable for death pension benefits, and thus her claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, a radiogenic disease, was related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service. However, thrombocytopenia, not considered a radiogenic disease, did not have sufficient evidence linking it to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disability alone is not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's service-connected shin splints of both the left and right lower extremities are rated at a noncompensable level (0%) due to slight muscle damage, which is more appropriately rated under Diagnostic Code 5311. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted it, based on new evidence received since the May 1989 denial.