Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's skin disorder is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not support a connection to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to service, including exposure prior to and during service. The examiner will assess whether the condition is at least as likely as not (50% probability) caused by sun exposure or herbicide exposure in service.

The Board found that the termination of the Veteran's nonservice-connected disability pension benefits from January 1, 2004 to August 4, 2005 was improper due to a misidentification as a fugitive felon.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current disability of benign essential tumors and concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's vision conditions, including determining whether any current disorders are related to service or due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of vision in the right eye was not caused by VA medical care, and determined it was due to macular degeneration. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's right foot disability is characterized as mild and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule. The Board finds that an initial compensable disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left hip degenerative joint disease, status post left hip arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for VA death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable rate.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for enuresis was denied because new and material evidence had not been submitted, and thus the claim is not reopened.

The appellant is entitled to a monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 for spina bifida as the child of a Vietnam veteran.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the lack of a copy of the March 2005 VA operative report and signed informed consent form, as well as outstanding treatment records. The Veteran needs to be provided with proper notice regarding his claim and scheduled for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hidradenitis suppurative is etiologically related to active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's neurocardiogenic syncope was rated at 20 percent from May 5, 2006 through May 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not show a frequency of syncopes averaging at least 5 times per week to warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulposus, and assigned a 20% rating effective from June 1, 2005. The claim for an increased initial rating for diverticulitis is denied.

The Veteran was in receipt of special monthly pension based on aid and attendance at the time of his death. The appellant submitted medical reports for unreimbursed medical expenses, which were considered by VA to determine accrued benefits. However, the amount already paid ($1246) is correct as it reflects the unreimbursed medical expenses incurred during the relevant period.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a blood disorder and residuals of syphilis. The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran is eligible for a special monthly pension for housebound status due to having independently rated disabilities of 60 percent or more, meeting the service requirements and being older than 65 years of age.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, variously diagnosed as Raynaud's syndrome and dysesthesias, is related to his active service. By extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for endometriosis and ovarian cysts, finding that the January 2006 letter was a valid withdrawal of these claims.