Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including a groin rash, is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the current disability does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, including those from Rhode Island Hospital where the Veteran is currently an inpatient. The Veteran's claim for service connection for HIV/AIDS will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and private treatment records from specific medical providers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, and for further development including obtaining an x-ray report and arranging for a comprehensive orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's prostate disability and skin disease, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service symptoms. The evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have soft tissue sarcoma and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that service connection is not warranted for neurosyphilis and transverse myelitis with neurogenic bladder as the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lower jaw disability, loss of sense of taste, and loss of sense of smell. The disabilities were found to be manifested by mild impairment associated with the seventh cranial nerve and ninth cranial nerve, complete loss of sense of taste without additional disability, and incomplete loss of sense of smell without additional disability.

The Veteran's left foot and right foot disabilities have been rated at the highest possible under the applicable rating criteria, with a final evaluation of 30 percent for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysphagia is not related to his active duty service, including his in-service tonsillectomy. The VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a tonsillectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for SMC based on loss of use of the right foot and buttocks, finding that no claim was filed prior to October 23, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA ENT examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any ear symptoms and/or any residuals of the in-service ear infection found to be present. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication of his claims, including a TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after all necessary actions have been taken.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a delay in diagnosis and treatment of her Hodgkin's disease has been denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the delay caused additional disability or shortened her life span.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals from in-service bunion surgeries to the great toe and fifth toe of her left foot have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted due to the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound affecting Muscle Group XI, right foot, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and slight limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal includes both a claim for service connection and a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151, related to the same July 21, 1989 surgical procedure. The Board has determined that these claims are inextricably intertwined and must be adjudicated together.