Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for Raynaud's syndrome is being remanded due to unclear information in an August 2008 VA examination report. The case will be remanded for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the amputation of his right fifth finger is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding postoperative care provided by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current optic neuritis and vascular occlusive disease, which have caused his right eye blindness, were not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation and are unrelated to any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative joint disease and residuals of a meniscal tear, had its onset during active military service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for restoration of her ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees from 10% to 20%. The effective date is not specified as it was a reduction in rating.

The Veteran claims service connection for HIV, but the Board has determined that further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred or aggravated in active service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not establish any connection between the Veteran's liver cancer and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's chest pain and costochondritis were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to his service. The VA examiner did not attribute the current symptoms to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to reopening service connection claims and the need for additional evidence.

The appeal for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was dismissed because the Veteran did not die of a service-connected disability or have a total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the bladder tumor, as it was not shown to have been present in service or within one year of separation. The Veteran's claim based on herbicide exposure and PTSD secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for thrombophlebitis. The Veteran is also granted a disability evaluation of 50 percent for schizophrenia prior to March 4, 2008.

The Board found that a chronic right lower extremity disability, including arthritis, was not shown in service or within one year of discharge from service and it has not been shown by competent medical evidence to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose with deviated septum are currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The Board finds that this is the appropriate disability rating given the current manifestations and does not warrant an increase.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental trauma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his tooth extractions were related to in-service trauma and if any current maxillary or mandible bone loss are related to that trauma.

The Board is requesting additional information and evidence to determine if the Veteran's eye disorders, including retinal detachment of the right eye and left eye disorder, are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner will need to address whether the diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for eligibility to receive educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38 of the United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill) due to his 'general (under honorable conditions)' discharge from active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an annual clothing allowance has been withdrawn. The issue of reimbursement of medical expenses by VA for the cost of non-VA medical treatment at a private medical facility identified as Nebraska Medical Center from August 17, 2009, to August 18, 2009, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 11, 2006.