Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional information and action regarding his vocational rehabilitation benefits. The RO must request relevant information from the Veteran, including identifying technical certifications he wants to obtain and explaining why requesting accommodations at his current job might result in losing it.

The Veteran's appeal for increased rating, service connection, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were all denied.

The Veteran's lung disability is related to in-service asbestos exposure and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gynecological disorder was incurred in active service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's Crohn's Disease had its clinical onset during his period of active military service and is therefore granted service connection for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a statement of the case regarding an earlier effective date for his arteriosclerotic coronary vascular disease.

The Veteran's radicular pain of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral varicose veins. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of rhinoseptoplasty is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected loss of use of a creative organ, secondary to diabetes mellitus, has not resulted in any compensable evaluation since March 12, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's post-operative residuals of a tumor of the thoracic spine, finding that it developed as a result of exposure to herbicides during active service. The claim for aid and attendance benefits is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals, left varicocelectomy and a compensable evaluation for left inguinal hernia. The Veteran is already receiving the highest available rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no instability or subluxation.

The Veteran's spouse and dependent child were awarded a special apportionment of $400.00 per month from the Veteran's VA compensation benefits, but her request for an increase in this amount was denied due to it causing undue hardship on the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran was not a fugitive felon during the period from October 1, 2003 to December 18, 2003 and therefore entitled to VA compensation benefits. As a result, the overpayment in the amount of $6,208.87 is moot and no longer an issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis was incurred as a result of his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The ileostomy resulting from the ulcerative colitis is also considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's malignant hidradenoma is as likely as not due to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a personal hearing, and the claim of reopening service connection for malaria is still pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pancreatic head mass and/or cancer are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, including for VA treatment purposes, was denied as the evidence did not support his claims. He had already been granted service connection for a healed fracture of the maxilla and does not have any other currently diagnosed dental conditions that are service-connected.