Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left great toenail disorder, finding that it causes moderate impairment in his left foot due to painful walking and development of calluses on his heel.

The Veteran's paralysis of his right upper and lower extremities is considered to be a result of the May 2004 VA left carotid endarterectomy, which was caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault.

The Board has determined that the earliest date upon which it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was in need of the regular aid and attendance of another was February 26, 2010. Therefore, an effective date of February 26, 2010 for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left thigh involving Muscle Group XIII, with a retained foreign body is being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations and deficiencies identified by the Court.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional examination and development of records to address the severity of the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound disabilities, including their impact on employment. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records related to an OIG investigation into possible fraud at RMTU. The validity of the overpayment will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints, with history of stress fractures, are currently rated at 10 percent and do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of additional limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for nasal and throat disabilities, including those related to exposure to Agent Orange. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left inguinal hernia and associated residuals, as well as his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for VA surgical repair of a left inguinal hernia in May 2003, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's lichen planus is found to be related to service, while his right ear tympanic membrane perforation with tympanoplasty does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PFB is manifested by less than 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and no more than topical therapy required during the past 12 months. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's left elbow disability has been manifested by painful, but otherwise noncompensable limitation of motion. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his right and left hip degenerative joint disease, which resulted in total hip arthroplasty of both joints. The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hip disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was diagnosed in March 2009, and he received service connection for it based on presumptive exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) in Vietnam. The effective date of this award is set at May 8, 2009.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was properly created and is a valid debt, denying the appellant's appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to reassess his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to this disability. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional evidence is considered.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibroids and a hysterectomy, as well as her claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of a creative organ, are being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be returned to the Board after any necessary examinations or additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure is being remanded for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.