Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, including his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and finds no evidence linking his reported symptoms to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cystitis was primarily manifested by urinary leakage requiring the use of 3 absorbent pads or less per day prior to December 22, 2006. For the time period since December 22, 2006, it has been primarily manifested by urinary leakage requiring the use of more than 4 absorbent pads per day. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating or earlier effective date.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to November 10, 2008 and from January 1, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, claimed as subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane of the right eye, status post photodynamic therapy, was not present during active service and is not etiologically related to active service. The Board also determined that it is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran does not have a distinct sleep disorder that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that any sleep apnea he has developed is less likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of duodenal ulcer with partial gastrectomy was granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran is appealing the denial of his claim for service connection for chronic brain syndrome secondary to cerebral and intracranial trauma. The Board will consider whether new evidence has been submitted that would allow him to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for pancreatitis and an incisional hernia, as well as his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and depression secondary to pancreatitis, were denied due to lack of evidence showing negligence or improper care by VA.

The Veteran's son, J.L., received an increased apportionment of $300.00 per month from April 1, 2004 to April [redacted], 2006 due to his special needs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular signs and symptoms, including an abnormal EKG, irregular heartbeat, valve prolapsed, and heart arrhythmia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the claim cannot be reopened as there is no new and material evidence to support the veteran's request for non-service-connected pension.

The Veteran's mechanical back pain was evaluated at a 10% rating, and the issues of total disability based on individual unemployability were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of multiple fractures of the left hand is granted. The claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the severity of her service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus and whether she should receive an increased rating. The case will also be reviewed after obtaining any pertinent Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination for his Huntington's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative proctitis is causally related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits due to his bad conduct during service from January 1999 to May 2007, and he was not insane at the time. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's left mandible fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted.