Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a muscle group examination to determine if there are any additional disabilities related to the left hip shell fragment wound.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected lung disability was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial evaluations for his right knee and left knee disabilities, with the effective date of service connection remaining unchanged.

The Board found that the appellant does not have service connection for mantle cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's right patellofemoral syndrome was granted a 10 percent rating effective from April 15, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability and for TDIU due to his service-connected condition. Additional treatment records are needed, as is a VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back disability.

The Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome, status post arthroscopic surgery with a scar, of the right knee and left knee are currently rated at 10 percent each. The evidence does not support higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for age-related macular degeneration was reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and hearing loss were denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 30, 2008 is moot.

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 Board denied the veteran's claim for one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to a lack of service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, they do not meet the eligibility criteria for the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying active service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, his claim for benefits under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right orbital area and zygoma fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of the record.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected Reiter's syndrome, but the case has been remanded due to insufficient examination and evaluation of all affected joints.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as he did not have service with the United States Armed Forces and therefore is not a Veteran for purposes of receiving benefits from the FVEC Fund.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of legal merit, as there was no verified service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for anaplastic extramedullary plasmacytoma of the right tonsil and neck lymph nodes and dry mouth with distortion of sense of taste was granted. The RO also denied his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, which he withdrew from appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service is not recognized as qualifying for the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to inconsistencies in the information provided. The case is being remanded for further verification of the appellant's active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an adequate VA examination to evaluate her cold injury residuals and knee disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.