Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current respiratory/pulmonary disorder and his active service, including asbestos exposure or tonsillectomy. The Veteran's symptoms are believed to have developed after service.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a Veteran with one dependent, thus he is not eligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to January 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hammertoe and residuals of a proximal interphalangeal fusion of the second digit of the right foot warrants an initial compensable evaluation (10%) under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's heart murmur is considered a congenital defect that existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. The examiner will need to provide additional opinions regarding the current diagnoses of tricuspid regurgitation, insomnia, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund was denied as he did not have qualifying service.

The Veteran's service-connected peroneal tendinitis of the right foot is not shown to be productive of moderate impairment, and therefore a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand and left hands, finding that they are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left thigh injury was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent evaluation. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is incurred in active military service, as it cannot be reasonably disassociated with her service.

The Veteran's service-connected status-post left varicocelectomy is not shown to warrant a disability rating greater than 10 percent on a schedular basis prior to January 17, 2006 and from April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right elbow was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating effective February 9, 2001. The TDIU claim was granted effective September 10, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected menorrhagia was improperly reduced from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating. The Board has restored the original 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot dermatophytosis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of April 28, 1997 for the grant of service connection for failed back syndrome as secondary to right knee disability.

The Veteran's left leg numbness and weakness are due to an event not reasonably foreseeable during the subtotal colectomy performed by VA in December 2007, resulting in a disability of the left femoral and obturator nerves. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that leukopenia, a finding from blood panel counts, is not a disability for which service connection may be granted. As such, the claim of service connection for leukopenia is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, claimed as bunions, had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left hand muscle cramps, which he claims are related to dehydration during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated left hemidiaphragm is granted with an effective date of September 2, 1982. The Board found that the disability had been present since at least 1970 and was related to his military service.