Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claim for joint pains due to undiagnosed illness, also claimed as Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tonsil cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for further action.

The Board found that the cause of death, acute leukemia due to or as a consequence of essential thrombocythemia/myelofibrosis, was not caused by or related to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's service-connected eczematoid dermatitis did not contribute to his death.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's urinary disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left and right patellofemoral syndrome. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's son was removed from his disability compensation award due to receiving Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, as he elected to receive DEA benefits starting on August 25, 2008. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by severe avascular necrosis of the second metatarsal, has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 31, 2003. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to the severity and frequency of his symptoms.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) affecting his right foot, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at S.J. Hospital from May 4, 2006 to May 8, 2006 has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service for the purpose of obtaining a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's bilateral TMJ arthroplasty, residuals of arthritis with resorptive changes is currently rated at 20 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for educational benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA education programs.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for right hydrocele, as evidenced by a history of testicular torsion and subsequent diagnosis of right hydrocele. Service connection was denied for sinusitis due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gynecological disability, including infertility, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected aphthous ulcers, and for consideration of an extraschedular rating if warranted. The TDIU claim is also being considered.

The Board found that the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of entitlement to VA benefits due to a separation initiated by the Veteran without fault on the part of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling compensation examinations.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right and left thumbs is related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and a vision disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg disorder and assigned a noncompensable evaluation effective from April 28, 2010. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for asbestosis is remanded.