Other conditions Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records and determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected social phobia is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disability, but the Board concludes that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his disability alone does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cold weather injuries of the upper extremities and right lower extremity have been rated at 30 percent since May 5, 2009. Prior to that date, her claims for higher ratings were denied.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for macular degeneration, finding that there is no evidence supporting a relationship between his current disability and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease, an earlier effective date for a 100 percent schedular evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder, and temporary total ratings under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 due to treatment at COPIN House.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current skin disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing polio-related right foot deformity was aggravated by injury sustained during his period of active duty training in 1957-1958.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5251 for limitation of extension. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral leg disorders and an initial compensable evaluation for left varicocele was denied as there is no evidence of a current clinical disability/diagnosis related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service is not among those identified as having served in or around the DMZ during the applicable time period in Korea. However, he asserts that he was detailed to the DMZ as part of a security escort team. The RO must request additional records from his unit and verify if he was assigned duties near the DMZ.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hand shell fragment wound did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his disability manifested by a mildly tender scar and complete range of motion without significant impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple premature ventricular contractions warrant a rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7010. The Board finds that his current symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence of an in-service sexual assault, and thus denied the claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder based on such an event.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left forearm, Muscle Group (MG) VIII.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's son, who is now incapable of self-support due to mental impairment, meets the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gallbladder disease with cholecystectomy is service-connected, as it more likely than not had its clinical onset during his military service.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claims for service connection for right leg disability and left leg disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection for allergies, including penicillin, remains unresolved.

The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5230 for limitation of motion of a little finger. The appeal regarding the left hand middle finger fracture is addressed in the REMAND portion.