Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus condition is not related to his service, including the removal of wisdom teeth during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's sinus problems began in or were aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's net worth, as reported in July 2008 of $72,196.06, remains a bar to VA pension benefits due to her current monthly expenses exceeding her income and liquid assets.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death and whether it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The DIC claim is also remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board denied service connection for pingueculum of the left eye and an eye disorder manifested as dry eyes or ectropion, finding that these conditions were not related to active service.

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a digestive disorder, as secondary to pain medication prescribed for the right knee disorder. The appellant's right knee disorder was not attributable to service or continuity of symptomatology, and her digestive disorder claim was remanded due to its inextricable intertwining with the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's duodenal perforation and resulting pancreatitis were caused by an unforeseeable event during a VA medical treatment (ERCP) procedure, meeting the criteria for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected right bundle branch block was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective November 26, 2008.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 20, 2009 and has been granted a higher rating of 40 percent thereafter. The residuals of bilateral hernia repair have not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for both a chronic skin disorder and scleroderma, which are presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left eye disorder, specifically pterygium. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical examination and readjudication due to an inadequate January 2005 VA examination.

The Veteran's memory loss is not attributable to military service, including an in-service head injury.

The Veteran's left hemidiaphragm paralysis is determined to be a known complication of the May 2000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure performed at VA, but not due to any fault or negligence on VA's part. As such, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's endometriosis has been manifested by pelvic pain requiring continuous treatment, but not heavy or irregular bleeding not controlled by treatment or any bowel or bladder symptoms. The Board finds that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for dysthymic disorder and cognitive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim was decided on the merits as a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia has not resulted in any recurrent symptoms or physical findings, and the current noncompensable disability rating remains appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected left clavicle disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, pancreatic cancer, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year from separation from service. The Board also found no evidence that any service-connected disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a procedural issue regarding timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board found that the termination of the appellant's nonservice-connected pension benefits due to her being determined as a fugitive felon was proper.