Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically dermatophytosis on his hands, is being remanded for a new examination during an active stage of the disease and to determine if extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lupus, which is presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for a VA medical examination to determine if the appellant's current lupus is causally related to his active service or any incident therein, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current temporomandibular joint syndrome had onset during her period of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder did not onset in service and is not etiologically related to service, including in-service exposure to Agent Orange or sun exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant not being given a videoconference hearing, and she is entitled to one if requested.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right obturator nerve compression, including whether it is related to service or other pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and his hearing loss of the left ear is also rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left wrist does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral hallux valgus and bunions were incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, had onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records from UT Hospital. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hiatal hernia, cardiovascular disease, or ulcerative colitis related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a right testicle disability, finding that the Veteran's current atrophy of the right testicle is related to his in-service symptoms and not due to his service-connected left testicular atrophy with peyronie's disease. The other issues were not addressed as they are part of the remand process.

The Veteran died from multiple myeloma and was buried in a private cemetery. He did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as he was not discharged due to a service-connected disability, nor was he hospitalized by VA at the time of his death.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of removal of the left testicle, finding that new and material evidence has not been presented.

The Veteran's right eye disability, diagnosed as central serous chorioretinopathy, has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has ordered remand to the agency of original jurisdiction to obtain an original copy of a May 5, 2007 DRO decision and determine its standing in light of Military Order of the Purple Heart v. Sec'y of Veterans Affairs, 580 F.3d 1293 (Fed Cir. 2009).

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's peri-anal abscess, finding that his symptoms warranted this level of evaluation based on VA examination reports and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had a loss of sense of smell, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 6275, but no other service-connected conditions met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 19, 2011 and increased to 10 percent as of that date. The appeal for a higher initial rating remains before the Board.