Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected left oophorectomy with partial right oophorectomy is rated at a 30 percent since July 15, 2011. The Veteran had her remaining right ovary removed surgically in a total hysterectomy performed on July 15, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the substantive appeal was not timely filed following the March 25, 2007 statement of the case that reduced his disability evaluation to 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, multiple myeloma, was not service-connected as it did not develop during or due to his military service. The underlying causes of death were sepsis and bone marrow failure, which also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the waiver of recovery of an overpayment in educational assistance payments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the hands and feet are being remanded due to incomplete information regarding his in-service exposure. Additional development, including obtaining relevant personnel records and treatment records, is required.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and restoration of a 100% disability rating for prostate adenocarcinoma and radical suprapubic prostatectomy residuals was denied. The AMC granted entitlement to SMC based on housebound criteria, effective November 28, 2005.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's sebaceous cyst disability, including scars, has been productive of subjective complaints of pain and itching; however, none of his scars were shown to be visible on the head, face, or neck; result in an area or areas exceeding 6 square inches (39 sq. cm); cause limitation of motion; unstable; or productive of pain on examination. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and other issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating for residuals of the left third finger prior to June 17, 2011 and as of that date was denied. The VA examiners found no limitation in extension or pain with motion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right eye disability is pending. The claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the left maxilla was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she does not meet the legal criteria for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of receiving DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carcinoma, postoperative left mastectomy, as likely as not had its clinical onset during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the extraction of molars on each side of his mandible was denied as there is no evidence showing that trauma or disease caused loss of substance of the body of the maxilla and mandible resulting in his loss of teeth.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's musculoskeletal chest pain results in episodic pain of the left chest area, without underlying cardiac disability or other functional impairment. The Board finds that his degree of impairment is no more than slight and does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a torn right biceps muscle is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a dental condition of tooth #18 for VA compensation purposes and/or for purposes of eligibility for outpatient dental treatment is denied.

The Veteran's left ring finger disability, manifested by ankylosis of the interphalangeal joint with significant reduction in grip and reduced manual dexterity, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, is granted. The condition has been shown to have manifested within a year of his last exposure.