Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right hip were not present until more than one year after his active service, are not etiologically related to his active service, and were not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected total right knee replacement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema, due to exposure to smoke during his service in the Persian Gulf War was denied as there is no current disability or chronic symptoms that can be attributed to this exposure.

The Veteran's service did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of active duty during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference Board hearing. If he does not attend, his case will be returned to the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Reynaud's disease was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for reactive arthritis was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes both the timeliness of his waiver request and the validity of the debt. Both issues are currently unresolved, necessitating further development.

The VA determined that there is no current disability related to a stress fracture of the right leg incurred during service.

The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 18 is denied because the child does not have spina bifida and the mother is not a Vietnam veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's stasis ulcers and steatomatosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a qualifying additional disability as a result of VA treatment in November 2006, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shell fragment wound disabilities to the right thigh are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep disability is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the VA examiner found no separate sleep apnea. The Board will consider whether a separate rating for sleep apnea should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins and poor circulation, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA consulting provider regarding new evidence and re-adjudicating the claim.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's myocardial infarction and metastatic colon cancer were not related to his service-connected psychosis with mental deficiency.

The Board found that the Veteran's current spine disability is not related to her military service and determined it was more likely caused by repetitive work she did after service, specifically working as a postal worker. The claim for secondary service connection based on her right knee scar was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left hip disability in service or at any time thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current left hip pathology is not related to his service-connected prostatitis. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash and cysts, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran is now entitled to an examination to determine if his current skin conditions are related to his military service.