Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of DIC benefits is August 1, 2000, based on the liberalizing law and regulation change recognizing a causal relationship between Agent Orange exposure and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post repair, right femoral/inguinal hernia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and testing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and other relevant documents.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury with toenail fungus and edema of both ankles, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a heart murmur due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for consideration of new VA medical records and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, entitlement to accrued benefits, and basic eligibility for non-service connected VA pension benefits. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's death to any service-connected condition or exposure.

The case is being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and Anniston Army Depot/Ft. McClellan regarding the veteran's exposure to chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disc degeneration at the L5-S1 level warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision. The referral for extraschedular consideration was granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current cardiac disability, including aortic valve disease and aortic valve replacement residuals, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records. The appellant's appeal will be handled expeditiously.

The VA determined that the veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may either disorder be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's appeal will be returned to the Board after the hearing is conducted or he withdraws his request.

The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the veteran's cerebrovascular accident and postoperative pacemaker implant are related to his service-connected mitral valve annuloplasty. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that his claimed diffuse musculoskeletal pains involving the entire spine and extremities were not proximately caused by a flu shot provided at a VAMC in October 1998.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on evidence that supports a direct link between the veteran's military service and his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of the veteran's current visual impairment.

The veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment in the amount of $9,690.41 was denied due to findings of bad faith and fault.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg ulcers. The Board also determined that the veteran's current right leg ulcers are related to his military service, thus granting the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to herbicides.