Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her military service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the May 2005 denial of reopening.

The Board found that the appellant's monthly death pension award from August 1, 2007 to September 1, 2008 was properly calculated and denied her appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia due to Myelodysplastic Syndrome, is found to be service-connected as it was likely caused by his in-service exposure to benzene.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a fractured coccyx was denied as there is no current disability found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his foot disorders, including whether they are related to service or aggravated by pes planus.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since November 1, 2008. The current level of severity does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's gross household income for 2008 exceeded the income threshold required for treatment in the VA healthcare system without a copayment requirement, resulting in his eligibility status being changed from 'copay exempt' to 'copay required'. The claim is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of hearings before a Decision Review Officer and a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung condition. The Veteran's appeal regarding his coronary artery disease rating and effective date is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of bilateral photophobia should be March 13, 2001. The Veteran's claim was filed on this date and he expressed his intent to seek benefits related to his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for inguinal hernia repair residuals was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,Service connection for psychiatric disability and sexual dysfunction were not established as the available evidence did not provide a basis for concluding that these conditions are attributable to military service or to service-connected inguinal hernia disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a liver disorder, finding that the evidence supports this determination.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hepatic cancer was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion more credible than Dr. J's speculative opinion and concluded that neither the service-connected conditions nor any other condition materially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed joint pain/aching joints and emphysema were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's left hip bursitis has been rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2010. The ratings for limitation of abduction and flexion have been granted but are non-compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and declined to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The skin disability was not found to be related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The bilateral foot disability claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have an enlarged heart, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.