Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for adding his spouse, S.L.D., as a dependent. The claim was received more than a year after their marriage and no special provisions apply due to the one-year time period not being met.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the appellant now suffers from a bowel disability and whether it is related to his service-connected prostate cancer residuals. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's right eye disability, including loss of vision, is not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness or negligence. The decision concludes that the additional disability was due to a known complication of his treatment.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for loss of visual acuity resulting from a June 2009 VA surgical procedure. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology and proximate cause of his decreased vision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment, and whether any resulting disability was reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of qualifying service, as determined by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including chronic rash, hives and urticaria, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's blood clots and urinary tract problems did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any incident during active service or to any exposure to hazardous environmental agents employed in Project SHAD. Therefore, the claims were denied.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for an effective date earlier than November 30, 1993 for posthumous entitlement to compensation during the Veteran's lifetime for service-connected cancer of the lung and esophagus as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits because they were divorced at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disorder, diagnosed as melanocytoma, had its onset during his period of active service and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's bowel disorder was not incurred in active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features was characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, constricted and tearful affect, sleep disturbances, decreased energy, and a GAF score of 52 prior to September 21, 2011. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic neck sprain was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current condition of restless leg syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected tinea corporis and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disorder related to service, and the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was currently manifested by pain and tenderness without other significant symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, evaluating it as 10 percent disabling prior to February 4, 2009, and as 40 percent disabling from that date. The appeal is based on the current evaluation of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of cold weather injury to both hands are related to his service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete responses from a VA examiner regarding specific questions posed by the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive orthopedic examination. The Veteran may also be scheduled for a hearing before a Member of the Board if he wishes.