Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral defective hearing is at least as likely as not related to exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, and grants his claim for service connection.

The VA Education Center has granted the appellant's claim for education benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code (Dependents' Educational Assistance Program) based on attending training at the Institute of Natural Healing Sciences, Inc. of Colleyville, Texas.

The Board found that the veteran's incomplete C-6 quadriplegia with neurogenic bowel and bladder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it a direct result of his now-service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Board found that the veteran's head and neck cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may these disorders be presumed to have been incurred during such service. Additionally, there is no evidence showing that a service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over the issue of suitability for orthodontic treatment due to a medical determination, and thus dismisses the appeal.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, but ultimately denied the claim as there was no in-service exposure to asbestos or other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for thoracic spine scoliosis and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain.

The VA determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between CML and the veteran's active duty.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's death, including potential service connection for amyloidosis. The case is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board found that the veteran's gynecological condition, including PID and hysterectomy, was not incurred in active service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of compression fracture, T8 is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case has been returned to the Board for a new decision.

The Board found that the veteran's pancreatitis was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for pancreatitis has been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatigue with generalized musculoskeletal strain, arthralgias and myalgias are not related to his Gulf War service or any other aspect of his military service. The Board found that these symptoms are more likely due to obesity rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, rectal cancer due to colon cancer, was not caused by or related to his period of service or any service-connected disability. The cancers were not otherwise related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, which was previously denied in October 1989. The appellant is asked to provide information about any treatment she may have received from U.S. Public Health Service hospitals during her husband's military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically the residuals of an excision of an osteochondroma of the right coracoid process, does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the combined 100 percent rating, finding that no earlier claim was made and there is no evidence of increased disability prior to September 28, 2005.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the veteran has PTSD and whether it is related to his service. The veteran's claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral nerve damage and circulatory problems of the lower extremities, a right knee disability, and obesity. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.