Other conditions decisions — 2006

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or until years after service, and concluding that his current skin disorder is not related to his military service. The Board agreed with this determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service records and a need for further investigation into potential radiation exposure during the veteran's service in Tinian Island. The claim will be referred to the Under Secretary of Benefits for consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure with valvular disease are not etiologically related to service, either by virtue of a heat-related disorder or a liver disorder (hepatitis) sustained therein.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for loss of sight in his left eye due to a cataract surgery performed by VA. The case has been remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether blindness was reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peptic ulcer, which caused his death in August 1971, is presumed to have been incurred due to his captivity as a prisoner of war (POW) during World War II. As such, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected dermatomycosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left inguinal nerve entrapment as a residual of VA surgical repair of a left inguinal hernia performed in August 2001. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, bells palsy, and a compensable evaluation for hearing loss. The veteran was not shown to have a disease associated with presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and his skin condition was not related to his service or any incidence of service.

The veteran's spouse is granted special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her advanced age and visual impairment.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of the veteran's death, and to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's daughter does not qualify as a helpless child for VA purposes due to her current disability and inability to work, but lack of evidence showing she was incapable of self-support prior to reaching age 18.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a right testicle injury, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Washington, DC.

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided certification that the appellant had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. As a result, the claimant does not have the required military service to be eligible for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his existing service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board also found no positive association between herbicide exposure and right frontal glioblastoma multiforme.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosed eye disability and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an eye injury cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the medical services provided on March 13, 2002 were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to the veteran's health. The evidence shows that it was not feasible for the VA facility to provide immediate care and that an emergent condition existed.

The veteran's right elbow injury with traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and his psoriasis is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for either condition.