Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's chronic conjunctivitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Code 6018, which does not allow for a rating in excess of this level. The evidence did not support an increase to any higher rating based on other potentially applicable codes.

The veteran's service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome was initially granted but denied for an increased rating from September 16, 1998 to September 30, 2004.,From October 1, 2004 onwards, the veteran received a 10% disability rating for her service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome. Her right patellofemoral syndrome was not granted an initial compensable rating.

The appellant's claim for apportionment of the veteran's VA benefits was denied as she is not considered a spouse and thus not eligible for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently experience symptoms related to his duodenal ulcer, and therefore denies an increased rating for this condition.

The veteran does not have current disability of the lower extremities that is attributable to cold injury sustained during service.

The veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically his left knee with limitation of motion and right knee post-arthroscopy for medial and lateral meniscectomy, have been rated at 10 percent since December 10, 2001. The initial evaluation was granted for the period from December 10, 2001 to March 23, 2005, with a subsequent increase to 30 percent effective January 1, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM).,The Board also granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to service-connected DM.

The veteran's skin cancer was not shown to be related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of Hodgkin's disease and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's right eye disability, resulting from a detached retina following a motor vehicle accident, is rated as 10 percent for the period prior to November 19, 2005 due to visual acuity and field vision loss. The rating cannot exceed 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of chronic gastritis with a sliding hiatial hernia in service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The appellant claims service connection for left calcaneal bursitis, which he alleges was caused by an ankle injury during basic training. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the relationship between the claimed condition and military service.

The veteran's urethral stricture disease warrants a 60 percent evaluation, and his right Achilles tendon strain warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have active duty service during his alleged period as a prisoner of war, and therefore is not entitled to the presumption in place for veterans who were POWs. As such, the cause of death cannot be presumed to be due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the veteran's respiratory disability, characterized by diffuse calcified pleural plaques. The evidence did not show forced vital capacity (FVC) at or below 80 percent predicted or diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by the single breath method (DLCO(SB)) at or below 80 percent predicted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding his heart problems and dental condition.

The Board found that the veteran's loss of teeth, hemorrhage, and jaw pain were not incurred or aggravated by service. The hiatal hernia was also not shown to be caused by any in-service event.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of resection, small intestine are found to be essentially asymptomatic and do not warrant a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from April 5, 2005 was denied because the claim was not received within 90 days after discharge from the private facility that provided the emergency treatment.