Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for information and evidence within the required timeframe.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by acute myelocytic leukemia, which is considered a direct result of his service as a diesel engine mechanic. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Lourdes Hospital from July 18, 2000 to January 3, 2001 were not considered emergency care and thus do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of degeneration of bones, teeth, spine, and joints during service or within one year after discharge. The veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an extension of his basic 10-year period of eligibility for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill was denied because the proper delimiting date had already been adjusted to November 6, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disorders, including macular degeneration and cataract, were not proximately due or the result of his service-connected right eye loss of vision with macular degeneration. The RO has already granted a rating of 30 percent for the right eye disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals, pilonidal cyst is granted as there is at least a reasonable possibility of a causal relationship between his in-service pilonidal cystectomies and current symptoms such as fecal incontinence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is denied as there is no credible medical evidence or opinion establishing a reasonable basis for associating any current back problems with an incident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for Horner's syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran is seeking an extension of a temporary total rating due to treatment for service-connected colectomy for diverticulitis requiring convalescence. The case has been REMANDED as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder can be decided on the merits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer claimed as soft tissue sarcoma due to herbicide exposure during military service in the Republic of Vietnam is denied.

The veteran died from metastatic colon cancer, which was not related to service. The cause of death is not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound residuals, finding that there was no evidence of more than moderate muscle impairment or limitation of motion in either hip.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral arterial occlusive disease of both lower extremities does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The appellant is seeking to reopen a claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The RO must consider the most recent NGB Retirement Credits Record and determine whether the appellant had active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training for all of the periods of time specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death due to non-small cell lung carcinoma, DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1318, and accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which resulted from a fracture and subsequent arthroscopy, is productive of malunion of the tibia with moderate knee disability. As such, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is granted.