Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected second degree burns of the left thigh and leg are not manifested by scars that meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The RO severed service connection for a shell fragment wound of the left side of the face prior to the Board's decision, thus dismissing this issue.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and review of previous medical opinions.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for coax vara of the right hip. The Veteran's congenital right hip disability was aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of mononucleosis and her gall bladder condition, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under conditions other than honorable (OTH), which constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection and finds that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for residuals of a head and neck injury, as it relates to inservice injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. The VA will obtain relevant records from SSA and attempt to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if he currently experiences a respiratory disorder related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's bilateral optic atrophy and arteriolar attenuation were not caused or aggravated by VA care, but rather are considered an expected outcome of his hepatitis C treatment with Peginterferon/ribavirin.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including a VA examination to clarify the severity of the service-connected calluses of the right foot and whether any other non-service connected disabilities are related to these calluses. Additionally, the RO/AMC should consider whether a temporary total evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's March 2006 surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of cold weather injuries to the left and right lower extremities, with peripheral neuropathy, were denied as there is no evidence of exceptional circumstances warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral cavus foot with contracture of all toes does not render him unemployable, and the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-operative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulpous is being remanded due to the need for current findings and consideration of all pertinent evidence submitted after the Board's January 2006 decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, heart failure due to cardiomyopathy, is not associated with his active service or his service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his pre-existing heart condition.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left thigh shell fragment wound, Muscle Group XIV. The RO found that the residuals do not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a heart murmur and costochondritis, finding no current disabilities and noting that the Veteran's symptoms were not supported by objective findings.

The Board has determined that the offset amount of $302,500 against the appellant's DIC benefits was proper and denied her claim.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The underlying issue is addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by constant low-level pain and muscle spasm, does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.