Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes. The Veteran's claim was denied in July 2005 because there was no evidence of in-service trauma; however, some of the evidence received since then relates to the previously unestablished fact of in-service incurrence of dental injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatigue is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, and does not represent an independent disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left elbow disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the appellant's canal stenosis with disc protrusion at L5-S1, effective from May 1, 2008. The TDIU issue is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal occlusion, pelvic adhesions, and rectoceles due to military sexual trauma. Service connection was denied for hysterectomy, fibroids, dysmenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's left hand disabilities, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his daily activities.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's vitiligo was caused or aggravated by service, including herbicide exposure and/or PTSD. Therefore, service connection for vitiligo is denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder is not service connected, but his death was caused by atrial fibrillation and Graves' disease, which are considered to be related to service exposure. The cause of pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis exacerbation is also noted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left spermatocelectomy with epididymitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to January 6, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected iritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion and consideration of the correct rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicocele ligation, service connection for right and left leg disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability ratings for right and left Cubital Tunnel Syndrome from 40 percent to noncompensable was proper, as there is evidence showing improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of Fournier gangrene was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a current right lower leg mononeuritis or warts on feet and legs disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for another examination to test range of motion both passively and actively, as per a previous Board remand.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back condition during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his low back disability is not related to his military service.