Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the neck was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred. The residuals of a traumatic injury are not compensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's tachycardia and mitral valve prolapse were not related to her active duty service. The disabilities are presumed to have pre-existed service, and there is no evidence of aggravation during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his reported groin injury and cystitis during service are not credible, and there is no medical evidence linking his current orchitis to service.

The service department has certified that the appellant's late spouse had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. As such, the appellant is not legally entitled to VA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, including onychomycosis of the hands and feet. The Veteran's claim was not supported by competent evidence showing direct causation or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma of the nose is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 16, 2011. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to this date remains on appeal.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. However, there is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability and service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for septal deviation and disfigurement of the face were reopened based on new evidence, resulting in a grant of service connection effective from December 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cold weather injury residuals are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back strain, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardio-respiratory arrest due to cardiac disease. The autopsy revealed significant cardiovascular and peripheral vascular issues, which were not service-connected.

The Board found that the initial grant of service connection for ALS was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of active, continuous service of 90 days or more. The appeal is denied as the severance of service connection for ALS was proper.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for malaria and service connection for a skin disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or any link to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the legal requirements for obtaining a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund and therefore denies the claim.

The Veteran's death in 1985 precludes the appellant from receiving a one-time payment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as he never filed a claim for benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund as he is not the above-named individual and has presented false affidavits.

The Board has decided that further action is needed, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing for the appellant. The appeal will be remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on September 5, 2008 was denied as he had Medicare coverage which barred payment by VA.

The Board has granted service connection for left thigh pleomorphic sarcoma with muscle loss, finding that the condition is presumed related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for the residuals of his left fourth metacarpal fracture was granted, but he is not entitled to any additional compensation based on the current evidence. The VA has determined that the disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.