Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service to be eligible for the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of recognized military service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disorder was not incurred in or caused by his military service, nor was it aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service to meet the basic eligibility criteria for receiving a one-time payment from the FVEC, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiomyopathy with dizziness is etiologically related to an in-service bacterial infection, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's death was attributed to acute cardiovascular insufficiency due to underlying arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease. The VA and private medical opinions concluded that the service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of pneumonia. The claim of service connection for obstructive airway disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is denied as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of March 10, 2007 for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits due to lack of a valid claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, DEA benefits, and SMC are denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim to reopen was January 23, 2002.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability, finding that a higher rating was not warranted. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for mononeuropathy of the left foot.

The Board has denied service connection for a congenital talipes cavus deformity of the feet and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not diseases or injuries within the meaning of applicable legislation for VA disability compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins of the right leg has been reopened, but his request for a compensable rating for left varicocele remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for numbness of the left side of his face is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right epididymitis is related to surgical procedures in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin rash during service or within the presumptive period for Gulf War Syndrome, and concluded that any current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's dysthymia is manifested by mild social isolation, moderate occupational anxiety, chronic depressive symptoms, and panic attacks. The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating for service-connected dysthymia is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her current pelvic pain and misalignment are related to service, including symphysis pubis disorder diagnosed during pregnancy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection based on Agent Orange exposure must be remanded for further development, including verification of any potential exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected small angle esotropia and her ability to work due to her disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, concluding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The left knee disability claim is pending as it lacks a current diagnosis.