Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for a dependent spouse was denied because the required information was not provided until September 16, 2008, several years after she was notified of the need to submit it.

The Board found that the Veteran's need for a hysterectomy was not caused by an injury or disease in service, and denied her claim of entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's stroke (residuals of a cerebral vascular accident with left side hemiparesis) was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, nor may the disorder be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and conflicting opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's lung condition. The VA will obtain additional records and provide a pulmonary specialist with an opinion on whether the in-service asbestos exposure caused the current lung condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have the required service to qualify for payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, as certified by the National Personnel Records Center.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's thoracic scoliosis is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal metastatic pancreatic carcinoma is related to his in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals, and thus service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the January 2008 VA examination report and other medical records. The appellant should be scheduled for a new examination to determine if his pre-existing heart condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill beyond January 3, 2012 has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for blindness in the left eye. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's HIV was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a blood transfusion during his military service and the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability. The medical evidence does not establish a link between his exposure to liver flukes in Vietnam and his development of cholangiocarcinoma.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether he has active malaria and its residuals. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining a thick blood smear if feasible.

The Board has determined that the appellant's deceased husband did not have recognized service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces and therefore was not a veteran for purposes of establishing entitlement to VA death benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for mitochondrial myopathy and cytopathy, to include Kearns-Sayre syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from private facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected actinic keratosis, or precancerous cells, of the ears and nose is currently manifested by no active disease process. The Board finds that a compensable disability rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate from May 1, 2005 and her benefits will be terminated. The case is REMANDED for further action to consider all relevant evidence and ensure proper calculation of income.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability, and readjudicating the increased rating claim.