Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing colon cancer and its complications did not result from his ACDUTRA in May to June 1998, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that [redacted] may not be recognized as the child of the veteran for VA benefits due to genetic testing results indicating a less than one percent chance that the veteran is [redacted]'s father.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, including whether it was due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence acquired in military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil was not incurred during service or due to exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on her service-connected conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's disability, herniated nucleus pulposus at L5 with right leg pain, warranted a 20 percent evaluation since February 1, 1993.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a brain tumor and skin disorder were denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's assertions.

The Board found that the cause of death, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, was not due to a service-connected disability and denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for multiple superficial retained shell fragments, involving various body parts, is being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's death was due to his own willful misconduct, and thus not incurred in the line of duty. The appellant is therefore denied benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's muscular dystrophy existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for arthritis of the right hip and 30 percent for arthritis of the left hip, effective from October 2005.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's residual peroneal nerve damage, right lower extremity, based on symptoms consistent with severe incomplete paralysis.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound residuals of the left thigh do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's initial ratings for vitiligo, residuals of dislocated right long finger, and allergic rhinitis were granted. The rating for vitiligo was set at 10 percent.

The veteran's service connection for left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, and calluses of the left foot was granted with effective dates set at February 26, 2001, December 23, 2003, and February 26, 2001 respectively. A temporary total disability rating for convalescence based on surgery in August 2000 is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's new and material claim for umbilical hernia.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for speech impairment due to excessive radiation therapy and/or negligence during surgical procedures at a VA facility in 1990. The RO denied the claim, finding no evidence of fault or negligence on the part of VA providers. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA dermatological examination to address the nature and likely etiology of current skin disorders.