Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but the in-service stressors he has described are not verified. The case is REMANDED to request verification of the events and to schedule a VA examination if any stressor is verified.

The Board found that the veteran's death causing condition, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, was not related to his service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an examination to determine if he currently experiences substance abuse related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's peptic ulcer disease is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions were not caused by VA care, treatment, or examination and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The VA Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chalazion in the left eye, and thus denies an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss but not his left ear. The claim for PCT due to herbicide exposure is reopened, and a VA medical opinion concluded that there is no evidence of PCT during or within one year after service. The hearing loss in the left ear may be related to noise exposure during service.

The veteran's initial ratings for right foot bursitis were denied, with the RO granting service connection and assigning a 10% rating from February 1996. The veteran appealed this decision, but his claims for higher initial ratings since April 1998 were also denied.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence to support the veteran's claim of lymphoma being due to asbestos exposure during service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, finding that there is no positive association between exposure to herbicides and this condition. The opinion relied on by the prior decision was overturned as it pertained to a different disease.

The Board has determined that SW is not the veteran's natural child, stepchild, or legally adopted child and therefore cannot be recognized as a surviving child for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the September 1999 RO decision is not new and material, thus denying the appellant's claim to recognize her as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes.

The VA determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating codes.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by bacterial endocarditis, which is linked to his service-connected mitral valve prolapse. Therefore, the cause of the veteran's death is considered service connected.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot disability, including tendinitis and neuroma, warranted a rating of 10 percent, effective February 25, 2004. The higher rating was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a brain cyst, carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his right wrist disability, and an increased rating for his right wrist fracture. The examiner found no link between the veteran's pineal cyst and military service or exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for right patellofemoral syndrome, finding that it developed in service and is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 1, 2006, for additional compensation based on dependents. The decision stated that the veteran did not notify VA of his change in marital status until February 1, 2006, and thus the effective date was correctly set at March 1, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic nephrotic syndrome but denied the claim for an earlier effective date, finding that no valid application to reopen was filed prior to March 19, 2001.