Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran is entitled to an initial disability rating of 30 percent for cold weather injury residuals in both the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records, and the Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for his private treatment providers.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he was granted $8,477.47 in educational benefits based on the standard monthly rate allowed by law for his full-time enrollment at the Culinary Institute of America.

The Board found that the Veteran's esophagitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including by exposure to red lead. The VA examiner concluded that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current esophagitis to his in-service exposure to red lead.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim of service connection for chronic hydradenitis suppurativa, and thus grants the Veteran's request.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral hand disability that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected HIV is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than October 22, 1998 for the grant of service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is October 22, 1998 as this is the date of claim following the final disallowance in March 1991.

The Veteran's status-post right inguinal hernia repair with residual scar is rated at a compensable level of 10 percent, effective from the date of the August 2006 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected chronic neuralgia of the right leg. The claim for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151 for right hip avascular necrosis is dismissed. The increased rating claim for the Veteran's service-connected right leg disability remains pending.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is presumed to be service-connected due to full-body exposure to mustard gas during active military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's incomplete flexion of bilateral index fingers and sleep apnea are service-connected, with the latter being due to his time in military service. The multiple joint pain is not considered service-connected.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim regarding the character of the Appellant's discharge, thus denying the request.

The Board found that the Veteran's astrocytoma, a radiogenic disease, was not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The cause of death due to astrocytoma is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service at the Army Aggressor Center did not qualify as wartime service, and thus he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the loss of multiple teeth was denied as there is no evidence of dental trauma or disease resulting in his condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not blind, in a nursing home, or bedridden and able to perform his activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder claim is being remanded for a VA examination and to obtain private psychiatric treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of qualifying service as per the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) certification.