Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of diverticulum cancer and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, both claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for increased ratings for squamous cell carcinoma was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing poliomyelitis did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for residuals of poliomyelitis of the right arm.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or fault. The appellant argued that VA should have diagnosed and treated intracerebral hemorrhage sooner, but the reviewing physician concluded this would not have changed the outcome.

The Board denied service connection for gout and/or arthritis of the left upper extremity and both lower extremities, as well as other conditions. The claim for reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for hives was also denied.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for a simple fracture of the transverse process L4, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim being filed before July 16, 2002.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the disability is related to his active duty service, particularly given his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected loss of taste and complete loss of sense of smell have been denied as there is no evidence of a complete loss of these senses since the most recent testing.

The veteran claims service connection for a cut on his left hand sustained during service. The VA has requested additional records and will review the case again after receiving them.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to being housebound has been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the reduction of the veteran's disability compensation benefits to one-half the 10 percent rate, effective March 26, 2002, due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The veteran's lung disease claim was denied, but his fungal infection of the feet was granted an increased evaluation to 10 percent with an earlier effective date. The decision is mixed as it includes both a denial and a grant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pathology slides and having an independent pathologist review the veteran's April 2002 liver biopsy. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and no presumptive conditions were established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's right hip and right great toe conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh and an increased (compensable) initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected residuals of appendectomy and ingrown toenail surgery, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed respiratory disorder or colon cancer due to service. The veteran's assertions regarding symptoms were not supported by medical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bladder dysfunction and an increased rating for his low back disability due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that pancreatic cancer was not related to his service, including any herbicide or radiation exposure.