Other conditions decisions — 2012

The VA Board denied service connection for residuals of a rib injury, finding that the current rib fracture is not caused or permanently worsened by any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic duodenitis was not incurred during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of urinary incontinence during service and denied the claim on both direct and secondary service connection grounds.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his left hand GSW residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as the disability is rated under Code 5125, which pertains to loss of use of the minor hand. The next highest schedular rating (70%) requires amputation above the insertion of the pronator teres, and there is no evidence of such pathology.

The Veteran's right transversalis muscle strain was rated as noncompensable prior to August 2, 2012 and a rating in excess of 10 percent on and from that date is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and failure to provide notification of evidentiary requirements for service connection based on a condition not yet service-connected.

The Veteran is receiving 20% VA disability benefits. The appellant requested an apportionment of these benefits, but the RO found that it would cause undue hardship to the Veteran and denied the request.

The Veteran does not have arthritis of all joints, a left shoulder disability, a low back disability, a cervical spine disability, facial lacerations, or a stomach disability that was caused by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his in-service trauma, and therefore service connection for residuals of bilateral eye trauma is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the length of his convalescence due to surgery on September 26, 2008, as well as any current residuals of post-surgical skin ulceration in the left foot. The RO/AMC should also consider whether separate ratings are warranted for the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability and associated surgical scars.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left leg varicose veins and review of any additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, including from private sources. The case will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's current application for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile was denied as a matter of law due to her having previously received a grant for the purchase of an automobile. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his degenerative joint disease with osteophyte formation of the lower spine and service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent, effective February 19, 2009. His bilateral knee disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected retained foreign body of the right lower leg.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear basis for awarding $900 in accrued benefits and issues related to countable income, including unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of groin and thigh injury, rated as severe paralysis of the ilioinguinal nerve, status post right inguinal herniorrhaphy, due to aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.