Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's hospitalization and stay at the VA domiciliary were due to nonservice-connected substance abuse, not a service-connected disability. Therefore, he is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of extending educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, beyond December 16, 2008.

The Veteran's last day of work was May 26, 2006. His service-connected Crohn's disease prevented him from maintaining employment starting on that date. The effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is set at May 27, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's service and discharge, requiring further verification.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues regarding the validity of overpayments, including creation and waiver.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA administrative decision(s) and VA Compensation and Pension examination.

The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's home attendant expenses, which exceed five percent of the applicable MAPR for a surviving spouse requiring aid and attendance with no dependents, can be excluded from her countable income. This exclusion allows for a reduction in her total family income, thereby allowing her to receive improved death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the earliest date as of which an increase in disability occurred is March 29, 1995. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating was granted effective from this date.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant's service-connected Bright's disease does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot fracture residuals and scar have been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 26, 2006. The rating for the scar has remained at 10 percent since September 29, 2010.

The Board determined that the Veteran's cause of death, carcinoma of the pancreas, was not caused or aggravated by his military service, including herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's rectal bleeding disorder had its onset during his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable colon and diverticular disease, as well as initial increased disability ratings for asbestosis prior to August 26, 2003, and since that date, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's service or any incident therein.

The Board found that the Veteran's poor circulation with edema did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current idiopathic thrombocarpurpa (ITP) is related to active military service, including exposure to chemicals during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. As a result, the claim for service connection for ITP is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous varicosities were not shown to meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 19, 2008. On or after that date, they did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is related to service and the Board grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that Hodgkin's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's right saphenous vein avulsion, status post endoscopy stripping, was rated at 10 percent since December 20, 2006. The claim for TDIU is also denied.