Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board denied extraschedular ratings for the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the assigned schedular rating criteria reasonably described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic valvulitis with mitral regurgitation is not considered to be of such severity as to render him unemployable, and the Board finds that there is no competent evidence supporting his claim for TDIU based on this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip arthritis is attributable to an inservice motor vehicle accident and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's permanent and total disability status was granted effective July 2005, but the Appellant turned 26 in November 2002 before this effective date. Therefore, she is not eligible for DEA benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the Veteran's current mailing address and reschedule him for a VA examination. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of current left eye conditions and scars above the left eye.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the appellant's service in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Board found no evidence of TMJ dysfunction during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for impotence and bladder disorder, finding new and material evidence. The claim for an earlier effective date of SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current abdominal disability, pancreatic disability, impotence disability, or left-sided body disorder that is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of the Veteran's stomach disability, finding that the earliest date of receipt was January 23, 2006.

The Veteran's right fifth finger disability is manifested by pain with slight hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint, but no muscle atrophy, swelling, warmth, tenderness, ankylosis, or other adverse symptomatology that equates to amputation. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's widow is seeking service connection for the cause of his death, which was attributed to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The VA has requested an additional opinion regarding whether the Veteran's medications contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right tibia fracture is granted. However, the claim for service connection for a stab wound to the throat or jaw is denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 31, 2009, for the grants of service connection for left posterior tibialis tendonitis and navicular stress fracture of the left foot are denied as there is no evidence or statement dated before December 31, 2009, that can be construed as a formal or informal application to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right great toe disability, bilateral gastrocnemius equinus, bilateral pes valgo planus, functional hallux limitus, and nerve entrapment. However, these conditions are not considered service-connected as they were not shown to be related to military service.