Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and there is no evidence linking his esophageal cancer to his military service. Burial benefits were also denied as the cause of death was not service-connected.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of neck injury, but the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran died from cerebral arterial occlusive disease (Moyamoya disease), which may have been caused by exposure to toxic substances during his participation in Project SHAD. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no direct evidence linking the cause of death to service.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis disability is rated at 30 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms and treatment needs.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is related to service, including whether it was caused by drug or alcohol abuse.

The Board determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 60% to 20%, effective May 1, 2008, was not proper due to the residuals of his prostate cancer being rated based on voiding dysfunction rather than renal dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of mononucleosis, generalized arthritis, and cysts claimed as secondary to mononucleosis have been denied. The Board found no current disability related to the infections or injuries in service.

The Veteran's death was not considered service-connected, and the appellant's claim for accrued benefits is denied as it was filed more than one year after his death.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent disability rating for his right tibia/fibula fracture, finding that improvement in the condition was not demonstrated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's death was due to carcinoma of the pancreas, which is not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence linking this condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for varicose veins of the right leg is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of emergency transportation and treatment received at a non-VA facility on July 19, 2005 is denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The Board found that the Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity was not incurred in or as a result of service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals, chip fracture, right great toe.

The Board found that the Veteran's Reiter's syndrome is not related to his service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's penile squamous cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not due to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's Mantel Cell Lymphoma is currently inactive and not requiring any treatment, thus he does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of zero percent.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome of the feet and damage to Muscle Group XVII are currently rated at their maximum levels, with no further increase in evaluation possible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild epiretinal membrane of the left eye is related to facial trauma sustained during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic right hip disorder was denied. The Board found that there is no current disability related to the claimed condition and thus, service connection is not warranted. Service connection for Wilson's disease was granted based on reopening of the claim due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of nodular basal cell carcinoma of the left nasolabial fold is being remanded due to a need for additional development regarding potential exposure to chemicals and herbicides during his military service.