Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture resulted in a current disability, but the eye and hearing loss claims were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of left radius and ulna fractures, finding that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on nonunion or additional limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema as a result of herbicide exposure, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during service or within the presumptive period. The Board also noted that the veteran had not appealed the May 1979 denial and thus it became final.

The veteran's heart disorder, characterized by shortness of breath, angina, fatigue, dizziness, and left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction greater than 40 percent but less than 50 percent, warrants a 60 percent disability rating under the criteria for atrioventricular block.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the appellant's pension benefits were properly and timely reduced based on his income from 1986 to 1996, with no errors in the computation or application of VA regulations.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the veteran's residuals of tonsillectomy, finding that his throat pain is analogous to chronic laryngitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a hip disorder due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability and no in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining evidence and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for infertility and elevated calcium, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels as residuals of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke, including due to exposure to Agent Orange, as there was no evidence showing that his strokes were incurred in or aggravated by service. The disability did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not listed among diseases presumed to be caused by herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's shrapnel wound of the right eye did not result in any compensable disability, as his visual acuity and field examination were normal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a gastrectomy with psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction and pernicious anemia, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment given his educational background and prior work experience.

The veteran's additional disability of the upper extremities, including shoulder weakness and loss of function, is denied as it was a necessary consequence of the VA surgery in October 1993 to treat his cancer.

The veteran's left arm disability is not considered additional disability due to VA treatment, as the current condition was a result of prior injury and surgery.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing disability did not worsen during service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, finding that the veteran's condition warranted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing, and then it will be returned to the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow lateral epicondylitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no objective evidence of painful motion or other functional impairment. The current range of motion for the right elbow is within normal limits.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, finding that his symptoms have been moderate and continuous over several years.