Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board denied service connection for the skin disability as it is not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating from 100% to 60% for residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate was proper, as evidenced by the medical records and compliance with applicable regulations. The appellant's depression disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bronchiectasis (claimed as chronic bronchialitis) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury and a disorder manifested as hot and cold flashes.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected ventral hernia disability required convalescence from August 23, 2007 until September 24, 2007. The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by cholangiocarcinoma, which is considered a service-connected disability due to an infection with Opisthorchis Viverrini (OV) contracted during his tour in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with a recent grant of 100 percent evaluation for other combat-related disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during his July 2008 hospitalization at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital was denied because he had not received prior VA authorization within the past 24 months.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right elbow contusion has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before a Board Member at his local RO.

The Veteran's pension benefits were recalculated due to his inability to pay the nursing home expenses, resulting in a monthly benefit of $475. The appellant is not entitled to increased accrued benefits as her expenses do not qualify for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis was rated at 20 percent prior to November 18, 2010 and increased to 40 percent since that date.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right eye disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of extensor tendon laceration of the left long finger are rated at 30 percent effective April 23, 2007.,Service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder/alcohol abuse is granted and a 70 percent rating is assigned from September 29, 2007.

The Board granted service connection for pancreatic cancer, which was the cause of death. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorder were not found to be related to his service or to have contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including Grade I spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and degenerative disk disease with mild loss of function, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that the severance of service connection for broken top and bottom front teeth was not proper, warranting restoration of service connection. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his broken top and bottom front teeth is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg arthritis is not related to his service-connected right calf wound and denied his claim for service connection.