Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected meralgia paresthetica of the left thigh is currently manifested by subjective complaints of numbness and tingling, but no current impairment has been found. The condition is considered resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disability of the groin was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the current condition and service, including as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied. The Board remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and scheduling of a hearing.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left patellar fracture residuals was denied. The RO assigned a 70 percent evaluation effective from May 26, 2006.,A total rating based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disability was also granted effective from May 26, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Scott and White Hospital.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, respiratory arrest due to increased intracranial pressure from a Grade III Astrocytoma, was not caused or aggravated by exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for entitlement to VA death benefits, finding that the appellant's deceased spouse had service as a Guerrilla in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left elbow and radius disability was denied as the current evaluation of 10% is considered adequate based on the evidence provided.

The Board determined that the appellant's spouse did not have qualifying service and therefore is not considered a veteran for VA benefits, leading to denial of her claim.

The Board denied the Appellant's request to reopen her previously denied claim for VA benefits, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material as it did not provide official U.S. government or military documents showing qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive system disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his hypomania/bi-polar disorder and for obtaining all relevant treatment records from the Gainesville and Jacksonville VA Medical Centers.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease, including the effects of resection of the small intestine and colon, has been manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, gassiness, bloating, and rectal burn. However, there is no evidence of definite or marked interference with absorption and nutrition, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any right testis disability and whether it is related to his service-connected left testicular hydrocele.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Appellant's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's cause of death was glioblastoma multiforme. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's military service is related to his fatal illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a spine injury and cephalgia, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active military service.

The Veteran's right lung disability is found to be incurred in service, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether it began during active service or is related to an incident of service.

The Veteran's service does not render him eligible for compensation under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, and his claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a colon perforation incurred during a VA colonoscopy in October 1999 has been reopened and granted, as the evidence shows that his current disability is proximately due to an error on the part of VA.