Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's widow is appealing for accrued benefits on several issues, including service connection for a bilateral leg disability and initial ratings for other conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records from an assisted living facility.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for dysthymic disorder is denied as there was no increase in disability prior to May 27, 2005.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for retroactive Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits as her application was not received within a year of notification that she was eligible, and no exception to this rule applies.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse was linked to service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of the cost of the GRE under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is granted as he paid $160.00 to take the test and was certified by VA to be eligible for benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil with lymph node involvement, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides and insecticides, is being remanded for additional development. The claims file will be reviewed to determine if there was any actual exposure to herbicides or insecticides during his service.

The Board denied the claim that the Veteran's cause of death was service-connected, finding no evidence linking his lung cancer to his active service.

The Board previously denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and his military service. The Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) has requested a remand to obtain a new VA medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has dismissed the claim as there is no further controversy or justiciable issue remaining before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic left hand disorder, including fracture residuals and arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during such service.

The Veteran's multiple myeloma is presumed to have been incurred during his service due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board granted the claim based on this presumption.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold exposure in the upper extremities is denied as there are no current medical diagnoses or findings supporting this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected nerve deafness of the left ear is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that his claim for an increased rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for loss of teeth and respiratory disorder. The decision summary is that both conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's postoperative hernia repair residuals do not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple myeloma, which he claims is due to his exposure to Agent Orange during active duty. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records and review all available evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that his service did not qualify as active military service during a period of war and therefore he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to a lack of information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records.