Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability due to loss of teeth caused by caries, finding that bone loss was not due to trauma or non-periodontal disease during his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination conducted by a VA physician to determine the level of regular aid and attendance required due to service-connected disabilities. The examiner must address whether personal health-care services are needed in the Veteran's home and if hospitalization or nursing home care would be necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of a cyst in the groin area are related to his service, including venereal warts he was treated for during service. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections on a direct basis. For the other conditions, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether they are related to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected left scapulothoracic syndrome was denied. The Board found that the increase in disability did not precede the claim by more than a year, and thus, the earliest possible effective date is November 30, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his left distal fibula and brachial plexus injuries, finding that prior to May 2, 2005, there was no evidence showing restriction of motion or arthritis in the ankle. The claim for a higher evaluation after May 1, 2005, also failed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his service-connected residuals of a collapsed right lung.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, a current disability related to service. The evidence supports the conclusion that this condition was incurred during service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and additional medical evidence is needed.

The Veteran's residuals of blockage of the small intestines, including abdominal pain and constipation/diarrhea, meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current dermatophytosis of the feet is related to his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his right knee and TDIU were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that the November 2011 Board remand instructions were not substantially complied with and as such a remand is necessary. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating of his service-connected right great toe disability.

The Board found that the Veteran had symptoms of a skin disability during service and since separation, and resolved reasonable doubt in his favor. The current skin disability is considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that a disability manifested by dizziness was not incurred in or aggravated by the appellant's active duty military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The VA examinations and opinions provided no evidence linking the claimed dizziness to service connection conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his hyperuricemia with gout, including whether it manifests as an active process and if so, how many incapacitating exacerbations he has each year. The examiner must also address specific joint involvement and any residual symptoms.

The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not service-connected and was not caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of death to service, and thus denied both service connection for the cause of death and non-service connected death pension benefits.