Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board has found that the appellant had no honorable period of service and therefore is not entitled to payment of VA benefits. The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining records from the Army Discharge Review Board regarding attempts to upgrade his other than honorable discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability and puncture wound of the right leg warrant a rating of 30 percent for residuals of right foot surgery, but not a compensable rating for the puncture wound. The hip disorder issue is referred to the RO.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's admission to Edward John Noble Hospital was authorized in advance, whether it was emergent, and if VA facilities were available at the time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV infection and AIDS, as well as reopening of his low back, gastrointestinal, and headache service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to HIV or AIDS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his residuals of pneumonia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic otitis externa of the left ear. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of his current condition and whether it is related to active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim seeking revocation of her VA benefits forfeiture, finding that she did not submit new and material evidence to reopen her case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malnutrition and residuals of hard labor and torture as there is no competent evidence indicating that he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorder is rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's Porphyria Cutanea Tarda was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed thoracic spine condition and that any current thoracic strain is not related to service. The claim for service connection for thoracic strain is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension because no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim, and the service of her husband did not meet the requirements for VA pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's CVA and its residuals are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, thus denying secondary service connection.

The Veteran does not have any residuals of in-service dental treatment, including gingivectomy, beyond the scope of the intended effects. The Veteran's in-service dental treatment met the usual and customary standard of periodontal care without causing unintended dental trauma.