Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The appellant withdrew her appeal regarding the issue of service connection for cause of death before a decision was made.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of otitis media, which are attributed to his active service. The condition is characterized by some scarring of the tympanic membrane resulting from three right tympanoplasties.

The Board found that the Appellant did not file a timely notice of disagreement to the May 2009 rating decision denying entitlement to a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of metallic fragments in the lungs, finding that his current disability is related to combat injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1, status post spinal fusion, is rated at 60 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's memory and concentration problems are part of her service-connected fibromyalgia or if they constitute a separate disability. The RO will then readjudicate the issue.

The Veteran's syncope disability was found to have increased in severity during service, meeting the criteria for service connection due to aggravation.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have any dental disabilities set forth at 38 C.F.R. § 4.150, and thus denied service connection for compensation purposes for teeth # 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. For treatment purposes, the Board also found that the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin condition is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD, and his PAP was not present during service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's discoid lupus erythematosus is not related to any injury or disease incurred during service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate examination, and the Veteran's skin disability needs to be evaluated during an active stage of the disease.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Board found that the cause of death, respiratory failure due to congestive heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis, was not related to his service.

The Veteran's HIV was not incurred in active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right eye injury causally related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep impairment is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and not a separate disability. The Veteran's skin disabilities were also considered, but no new rating was assigned as they are already part of the PTSD evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of plasmacytoma/myeloma with removal of L2 with stabilization surgery as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to military service or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected polyarticular gout. The earlier effective date claim including contention of CUE must also be remanded to the RO/AMC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for blastomycosis, which he claims was caused by environmental hazards during his Southwest Asia service. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.