Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, cancer of the hypopharynx, was not related to his service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicides while in active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migratory arthritis affecting multiple joints was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of an active process with one or two exacerbations per year, and no limitation of motion in the affected joints prior to May 16, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for a temporary total rating (TTR) due to the need for a period of convalescence following a left myringoplasty in August 1980, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's right and left hip disabilities have been rated as noncompensable due to the lack of additional limitation of motion, fatigue, weakness or incoordination. The criteria for a compensable rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma, was not related to service-connected PTSD or any other service connection. The Veteran's smoking history is noted but does not appear to be linked to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including stem cell carcinoma and residuals, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it had its onset in service due to sun exposure or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's right hand disability was increased from noncompensable to 10 percent effective August 16, 2004.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease is not shown to have been present during service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiner found no signs or symptoms indicative of peptic ulcer disease and concluded that the Veteran does not currently have this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence showed a history of smoking tobacco during service which led to small airway disease rather than asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis/tinea pedis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating since the effective date of the grant of service connection. Service connection for multiple joint arthralgia and back pain was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer, which caused his death in December 2004, was not service-connected due to lack of a medical nexus between the condition and his presumed exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during service. The evidence did not support a finding that the cancer was causally linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of residuals of frozen feet or any other current impairment in the feet related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye disorder existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for spinocerebellar ataxia, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Board also found that there is no relationship between the current disability and the radiation exposure in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of Tourette's syndrome and determined that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's Tourette's syndrome is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for intermittent explosive disorder, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by incidents during service. The claim for a bilateral foot disorder remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's surgeries to remove his gall bladder and spleen during service have resulted in current residuals, including scarring. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected narcolepsy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and proper VCAA notice.