Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected testicular atrophy as a residual of epididymitis is denied because the clinical evidence does not demonstrate chronic urinary tract infection, renal dysfunction, or a level of testicular impairment associated with residuals of epididymitis that more closely approximates the schedular criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development due to incomplete medical records and the need to determine if any current right eye disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat cancer is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to chemicals and agents during active duty. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining specific information about the conventional, chemical, or nuclear weapons he was exposed to.

The Veteran's service-connected right leg stress fracture and posterior and anterior compartment syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5399-5312. The left leg disability is rated as noncompensable (0 percent). Both conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's inpatient treatment at Samaritan Medical Center from October 5, 2010 to October 14, 2010 was not rendered due to a medical emergency and VA did not provide prior authorization for the treatment. The Board found that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725(f)(1).

The Board has reviewed the evidence and determined that no new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for service connection for psychosis and schizoaffective disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left calcaneal spur syndrome and bilateral shin splints, finding that these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left leg disabilities, finding no direct evidence linking the current peripheral vascular disease to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of malaria and gonorrhea were denied as there is no medical evidence showing active disease or residual disability from these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized arthritis, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of teeth, caries, and atrophy were not caused by dental trauma in service. The competent clinical evidence did not establish a current dental disorder for which VA compensation is payable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in prior VA examinations. The case will be returned to the VA examiner or other qualified provider for a supplemental opinion regarding whether his chronic ataxia is causally related to his service and if it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hand disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied an effective date before June 17, 2002 for a 20 percent rating for varicose veins of the left calf as there is no evidence of persistent edema with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema from January 1998 to June 17, 2002.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities (bilateral cataracts, musculoskeletal condition of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and skin rash of the bilateral lower extremities) were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA), which may have occurred during his service in the California Army National Guard. The Veteran is requested to provide an examination to determine if any current neck disability is related to ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for flash burns, both eyes. The Veteran's statements reiterate previous assertions without providing any new or significant medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing, VA examinations, and retrieval of additional medical records. The issues include service connection for chronic paronychia with candidal nail infection affecting fingers and an initial evaluation for onychomycosis of the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's service-connected somatoform disorder with anxiety disorder is found to have caused her psychogenic insomnia, which allows for service connection on a secondary basis.