Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hyperacousis is the result of noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, including entitlement to death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left back side stab wound is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of wounds to his left and right legs, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during a period of recognized service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she did not meet the legal criteria to be recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of establishing eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a crushed left index finger are manifested by an asymptomatic scar and mallet deformity with limitation of motion, but do not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and bilateral ear disorder due to incomplete examination reports, lack of medical opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service, and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected chronic neuritis of the left saphenous nerve. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to evaluate the current severity of this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the medical treatment provided at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial was not considered an emergency requiring immediate attention, and there were no feasible VA options available.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the mandible have been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of any current disability from the fracture, and no other compensable conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to his military service, including due to asbestos exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia status post-incisional repair with residual scar is currently rated at ten percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining evidence of a link between his exposure to ionizing radiation and sterility/impotence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current irremediable ventral hernia disability, which began in service and recurred since then, was incurred during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to a lack of valid marriage prior to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the December 2006 rating decision is cumulative and redundant, and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for a blood disorder.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is not shown to have recurred, and there are no objective findings of a recurrent hernia. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations do not meet the requirements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disorder. The current disability, diagnosed as Raynaud's disease and vaso-occlusive disease of the hands, is found to be related to service due to exposure to vibrating tools during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral leg pain, but the Veteran's current disability is not related to his active military service.