Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current right fourth and fifth finger disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's vaginal hysterectomy as secondary to her service-connected endocervicitis. The claim for a compensable evaluation for endocervicitis was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back injury sustained during service is related to his current condition, and therefore grants service connection for residuals of a back injury.

The Veteran's cancer of the larynx was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, including as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disability, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran and the appellant did not live together continuously prior to his death, but their separation was due to the misconduct of the Veteran without fault of the appellant. Therefore, the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected anosmia has aggravated his hypogeusia, and the Board grants service connection for hypogeusia as secondary to service-connected anosmia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Kaposi's sarcoma and an increased rating for his shell fragment wound to the abdomen. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted an effective date of December 10, 1999.

The Board found that the overpayment was validly created and there was no indication of fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith. However, the Board concluded that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on the part of the appellant in failing to timely inform VA of her income changes.

The Veteran's surgery was for a service-connected condition, but the Board found that no VA or other federal facility was not available and prior authorization from VA was not obtained. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frozen feet, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran experienced cold exposure during service and currently suffers from neuropathy symptoms related to a past frostbite injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pancreatitis is causally related to his service-connected alcohol abuse associated with PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty service on a direct basis or due to exposure to herbicides or asbestos. The claim is denied.

The Veteran likely developed left foot neuritis as a residual of an in-service injury, and the Board finds service connection is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur additional disability resulting from VA medical treatment on July 30, 2001 due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's left pectoralis major muscle strain has been rated at 20 percent since October 15, 2009.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tumors and cysts, is related to service exposure. However, the current record does not provide sufficient evidence for a definitive determination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.