Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hip disability caused his right leg disability, diagnosed as right leg shortening. The left leg Achilles tendonitis and calcification are less likely as not secondary to his hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected blindness of the right eye with light perception only is rated at 30 percent, and a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his Crohn's disease and ulcer.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, the Board found no evidence linking AML to military service or herbicide exposure, thus denying the claim.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and adjudication, including consideration of a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous rating decision. The Veteran's CUE claim will be addressed first as it may render moot the issue of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right little finger disability existed prior to service and worsened during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and other relevant documents.

The Board determined that the appellant's bad conduct discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to establish insanity at the time of his offenses.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service for the purpose of obtaining the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach condition was denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for pension benefits before it could be decided by the Board.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of recognized service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye blindness is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left leg disabilities to allow further development, including consideration of whether the Veteran's current leg conditions are related to his service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, claimed as throat cancer, is presumed to have been incurred during active service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted DIC benefits for the appellant's son, SB, due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to his eighteenth birthday. The condition was present at age five and is considered a new and material issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the hands and feet, claimed as due to chemical exposure during service, is being remanded for further development. A new VA examination by a skin specialist will be conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus but at a reduced rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected foot disabilities and whether they meet criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5167 or special monthly compensation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left leg PAD and contends that the thrombophlebitis he was diagnosed with during service is related to his current PAD. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding whether the thrombophlebitis aggravated the PAD, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral lower extremity thrombophlebitis.