Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's endometriosis with status post right salpingectomy was rated at 50 percent prior to September 28, 2010. Her total hysterectomy is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The cause of death was listed as nephritis, which is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of dental trauma for treatment purposes. The Veteran's statements do not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current dental disability and his service.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder resulted in severe impairment of social and industrial adaptability before September 21, 1998, warranting a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing conducted by a former member of the Board. The Veteran is requested to schedule a Travel Board hearing with a current member of the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right hand disability did not increase in severity during service and thus was not aggravated by service. The current right hand disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development due to a change in the hearing officer who conducted his Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis of the bilateral knees, hips, feet, ankles, and lower back are granted as his current diagnoses are consistent with those diagnosed in service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during service, which could potentially affect his claim for service connection for colon cancer. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board denied an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits to the appellant on behalf of their daughter due to the Veteran reasonably discharging his responsibility for her support and no demonstrated hardship.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for his left hand disability is granted, with the effective date set at December 10, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected right Achilles tendon repair is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastric ulcer was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. The Board also found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's MAI infection of the right lung and his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for Gilles Tourette Syndrome and has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to symptoms indicative of GTS during active service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service to establish eligibility for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of recognized active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand and middle finger disability did not originate in service, nor is it otherwise related to a disease or injury in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service is not considered qualifying service for pension benefits due to it occurring during peacetime, and his Reserve service does not meet the criteria for active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not serve in the United States Armed Forces and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran's service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is granted. An initial compensable rating of 10 percent is assigned for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease from November 9, 2010 to December 17, 2011. A greater than 10 percent rating is not warranted beginning December 18, 2011.