Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected calcaneal bursitis of the right heel with calcaneal spur is manifested by severe impairment, and his disability picture more nearly approximates a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the symptoms described.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the abdomen and shaft of the penis, finding that less than 5% of his body or exposed areas were affected by the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he is currently receiving the highest disability rating available for his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound injury to muscle group XI with retained foreign bodies, right leg.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected paresthesia of the right foot and clarification on his employment status since December 2008.

The Board denied service connection for an eye condition, including bilateral superficial vascular keratitis and Salzmann's nodular degeneration of the cornea. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current arthritis of the left first MTP joint is not etiologically related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand skin disorder and a digestive disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for macular degeneration, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder and H. Pylori infection, as well as ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and missing post-service treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is related to service-connected esophageal carcinoma, but there are questions about pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a facial scar, residual of fractured nose was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6502. The issue of a compensable rating for fracture of nose with deviated septum, postoperative remains pending.

The Board is remanding the case to search for records in federal record facilities that may show if the Veteran was exposed to mustard gas during his service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is considered service connected as part of his already service-connected generalized arthritic process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current vascular disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of numbness and tingling of the hands, stress fractures of the feet, TMJ disorder, and hernia of the abdominal wall have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran has not established entitlement to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a disease or injury superimposed on his congenital defects during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development, including readjudication of his claims and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case. The issues include service connection for left middle finger disability and an initial compensable rating for left ring and little finger disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's endometriosis is manifested by severe pelvic pain and heavy or irregular bleeding not controlled by continuous treatment, warranting a 30% evaluation. She also has loss of use of a creative organ due to her condition.