Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of malaria or residuals of a broken leg, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected traumatic epididymitis with postoperative right orchiectomy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's melasma has been manifested by pigmentation changes on the face, covering less than 20% of her entire body and exposed areas. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not affect more than 20% of her exposed areas or require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the service connection for neck injury and left otitis externa.

The Veteran's exercise-induced compartment syndrome was incurred during her military service and is granted as service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right hip disability was denied. The current rating of 30 percent is deemed insufficient given the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, was not service-connected as it did not arise during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current spinal stenosis is related to his in-service back injury, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of Vocational and Rehabilitation and Employment Services under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's death was caused by cancer of the stomach, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that none of his service-connected conditions were the cause or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not incurred during his active duty service and is not presumed due to herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found no medical relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine if the appellant was insane during his periods of AWOL in service. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran's right sural nerve disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but a higher 20 percent rating is granted effective September 18, 2009.

The Veteran's left foot hallux abductovalgus, bunion deformity, and post-operative bunionectomy with Herbert screw fixation have been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection in October 2008. The rating is based on painful motion and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's inguinal hernia, including whether it is related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's nonverbal learning disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary system disability, claimed as left pyelonephritis, urethritis, trigonitis, and contracture of the bladder neck, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by hallux valgus and arthritic changes, has been rated at 30% since May 2005. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for seborrheic keratosis and hyperhidrosis of the feet, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's muscular dystrophy had its onset during active service and affords him the benefit of the doubt, granting service connection for this condition.