Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for a supplemental VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability. The claims are also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's active service or any exposure to ionizing radiation to his death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to metastatic pharyngeal cancer, which the VA medical opinion found more likely related to tobacco use and alcohol consumption. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, including multipartite of the left patella and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that there is no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia and sleep disorder are rated at 10 percent, effective May 21, 2008. The condition is secondary to his tinnitus and residuals of septectomy.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA medical examination and testing, as well as an addendum to the previous opinion. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected low back disability was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of his educational assistance benefits beyond June 14, 2008 was denied as the criteria for such an extension were not met due to lack of a physical or mental disability preventing him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected aortic stenosis with aortic valve replacement from February 1, 2006 is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergies and a gynecological disorder, including hysterectomy. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's skin disorder, manifested by cysts and lipomas, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides during his service and the claim is denied.

The Board finds that the appellant had chest pain in service and since discharge, which has been diagnosed as Prinzmetal angina. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nasal polyps was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from engaging and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder, including any in-service sun exposure. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin disorder that he claims began during military service. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination, is necessary to decide his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis, diagnosed as diarrhea with cause unknown, is due to a disease incurred in service and grants service connection.

The Veteran died in a nursing home and was not receiving VA benefits at the time of his death. His conditions did not meet the criteria for burial allowance under any provisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nausea, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records to be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected pilonidal cyst scar is rated at 10 percent, reflecting the current symptoms and criteria under Diagnostic Code 7803.