Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's additional disability is not deemed to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds that the proximate cause of his additional disability was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for postoperative residuals of an oral fistula to the maxillary sinus secondary to tooth extraction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current hypogonadism is not related to his military service, including anthrax vaccinations he received during Reserve service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for this condition remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cyst on his back or spinal cord that is related to service, including an epidermal inclusion cyst removed in service and a spinal cord lipoma that manifested after service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a delusional disorder, finding that his symptoms began during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in June 1979. The diagnosis is supported by VA and private medical records.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issue of recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of establishing DIC and death pension benefits. As a result, the issue is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic otitis of the left ear did not manifest in service and is not etiologically related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and further adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to have his effective date for the grant of service connection for a cognitive disorder changed from April 17, 2000 to before that date. The decision stated that there was no error in the original decision regarding the etiology of the disability and compensation.

The Veteran's left elbow disability, characterized by limited flexion and extension, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the requirements to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of establishing eligibility for VA DIC and death pension benefits, given her continuous cohabitation with the Veteran until his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including a VA examination to determine if current pulmonary disabilities are related to in-service infections or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum is a developmental defect that preexisted service and was not aggravated therein beyond its natural progression, including by a superimposed disease or injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, paresthesias of the bilateral arms, and paresthesias of the face have been granted in July 2011. The appeal is dismissed as these claims are moot due to the establishment of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for amoebic dysentery and a current skin disorder manifested by actinic keratosis, finding that the Veteran was treated for these conditions during active service and they are related to his military service. The effective date is not specified as it falls within the presumptive period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to reimbursement for unauthorized medical services incurred in connection with emergency treatment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left ovarian cyst and a sinus disorder. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left hip disorder.