Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by multiple myeloma, which is service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a spine disability as the result of disease or injury incurred during his active military service, nor may arthritis of the spine be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to head and neck cancer, but his service-connected laryngeal cancer and basal cell carcinoma of the lower lip were not considered contributory causes. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or environmental toxin exposure during service that could support a presumption of service connection for his cancers.

The evidence does not show a direct link between the Veteran's service and his current low back disorder, leading to denial of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right (major) rotator cuff syndrome is already rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, and no referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected diplopia, postoperative cataracts with floaters, is being remanded for additional development to obtain current visual acuity tests and Goldman Vision Field tests measuring diplopia in both eyes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for information and releases necessary to obtain outstanding postservice treatment records, which are critical to substantiating his claim of service connection for muscular dystrophy.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left elbow and arm disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Raynaud's phenomenon is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for AML, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and exposure to ionizing radiation or tobacco use during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of a compensable rating for residuals of the service-connected fracture of the right fifth metatarsal is on appeal.

The Veteran's additional neurological disability, including right hemiparesis, spasticity, and bowel impairment, is determined to be the result of an event not reasonably foreseeable during his August 2004 cervical spine surgery at VA. The Board finds that this constitutes a direct service connection without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his neurological disorder and the current severity of his gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits for additional disability as a result of cervical spine surgery performed at a VA Medical Center in December 2005. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records, is necessary before the case can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further analysis of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral onychomycosis is evaluated as noncompensable due to the condition affecting less than 1 percent of his body and not requiring systemic therapy. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, to include as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is denied because there is no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his military service or to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation payable for a dependent spouse and child, finding that the correct effective date was August 3, 2006.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current left great toe disability is related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.