Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board found no current disability related to the Veteran's genitourinary/endocrine system disorder, hypospadias, or pheochromocytoma for which service connection could be granted.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus is currently rated at 30 percent effective January 25, 2008. The Board found that the use of systemic therapy (acyclovir) was not constant or near-constant during this period.

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 Armed Forces of the United States and therefore is not entitled to a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his liver disorder and service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood was initially rated at 30 percent and later increased to 70 percent effective April 20, 2011. His Crohn's disease was initially rated at 40 percent and later increased to 60 percent effective May 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right eye blepharitis, finding that it was incurred in service. The Veteran's left eye blepharitis is already service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if his squamous cell carcinoma of the throat is related to service and whether it has caused or aggravated other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left inguinal hernia and found that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for low back disability remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left elbow bursitis did not develop as a result of any incident during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left hip disorder and right inguinal hernia were caused by a near-fall on a wet floor in a VA facility, resulting from the failure to dry affected areas after flooding. The proximate cause was the fault of VA, not the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, widespread skeletal metastasis due to carcinoma, is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to secure private treatment records and arrange an examination to determine the likely etiology of his eye disabilities, including left retinal detachment. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 30 percent rating is warranted based on the severity of his muscle group VII injury.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for purposes of receiving a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, and therefore, legal entitlement to such payment is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to a certification by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) stating that the appellant had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board found that the appellant had no qualifying service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, and thus is not eligible for benefits from the FVEC Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service as certified by the service department, thus denying legal eligibility for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, they are not eligible for compensation from the FVEC Fund.

The Board denied legal entitlement to a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.