Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a dental disability for VA compensation purposes, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's left phrenic nerve interruption with left hemidiaphragm paralysis was initially rated at 10 percent, effective August 26, 2003. As of April 3, 2013, the disability warranted a 100 percent rating due to requiring outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's bilateral elbow disability or ulnar nerve entrapment at the left elbow, as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an opinion from a VA neurologist regarding whether his cognitive disorder is related to service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left eye disability has been manifested by objective findings of corrected distance vision of 20/70 or better, and he does not exhibit visual field impairment, abnormalities in muscle function, or incapacitating episodes. Therefore, the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board found no evidence of a left leg injury during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the right first carpometacarpal, effective October 13, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability was not caused or permanently worsened by a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of VA benefits, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's cancerous and pre-cancerous skin disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's foot fractures and arthritis have been rated as 10 percent for each affected foot, with a combined rating of 20 percent. The Board has granted an additional 10 percent for the right foot starting from March 17, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's postoperative partial hysterectomy was necessitated by gynecological problems during her active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of fracture, L-4, is dismissed.

The Veteran's post-tibial tendonitis of the right and left feet are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed left leg condition and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral amblyopia with poor visual acuity, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to an undeliverable hearing notice. The appellant will be notified at his current mailing address.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cancer and for the Veteran to submit a letter from his treating VA physician, Dr. N.S., in support of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the decision to discontinue the Veteran's VR&E program was proper, and thus denies the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hypovolemic shock and bleeding of the upper digestive tract, was not incurred directly in service. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for the Veteran's cause of death.