Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has granted an increased rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1, status post discectomy and has also determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, fingernail, prostate gland, and gallbladder disorders as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for service-connected uveitis quiescent with cataracts of the right eye, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim of an increased disability rating for his service-connected left hand crush injury residuals is being remanded due to additional evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatigue is due to an undiagnosed illness and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board dismissed the claim as the appellant did not establish his status as a child for DIC benefits, and thus had no standing to appeal the underlying merits of the service connection issue.

The veteran's gouty arthritis is productive of complaints of pain, swelling and limited motion on flare-ups. The VA has determined that the disability approximates disability due to 3 or more incapacitating episodes annually, warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded for obtaining specific medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and requested evidence. The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information from the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records (USASCRUR) and requesting a VA psychiatrist's opinion on whether the veteran had a psychiatric disorder related to service that may have contributed to his suicide.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right little finger fracture and dental disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions originated in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected malaria, finding no residual disability resulting from the disease and noting that there is no evidence of active disease process.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his laceration on top of the head was denied as there is no visible scar. The claim for service connection for a right leg disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence of current disability attributable to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current visual acuity in his left eye does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied the claim for an increased disability rating for pterygium of the left eye.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records. The case will be returned for additional evidence collection and review.

The veteran's service-connected status-post left mandibular and maxillary fractures with temporomandibular degenerative joint disease are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The veteran's service-connected paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve is also rated at 10 percent. There is no separate evaluation for an incorrect bite as it was not found to be a distinct condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for thrombophlebitis of the left leg and granted it. The veteran's current musculoskeletal chest wall pain is also considered as a result of his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his peptic ulcer disease with psychological features, and also denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for hypertensive disease due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for penile venereal warts was also addressed but is not included in this decision.

The Board found new and material evidence did not support reopening the claim for service connection of a right hip disability. The issue of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also addressed, but the decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.