Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service and therefore is not eligible for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for residuals of a pelvic fracture with left sacroiliac joint dysfunction was denied as the symptoms did not warrant such a rating prior to March 29, 2005.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting umbilical hernia did not increase in severity during active service, and thus does not warrant service connection.

The Veteran's diagnosed paresthesias of the hands are at least as likely as not related to service and his service-connected cervical spine disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from the May 2012 examiner regarding his eye disorders. The TDIU claim will also be scheduled for a hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis, concluding that there is no evidence of a current disability and finding that any cellulitis he experienced during service was not related to his lymphangitis.

The Board found that the cause of death, metastatic esophageal cancer, was not service-connected as it is not a disease presumptively associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the head and face, resulting in four characteristics of disfigurement, are rated at 50 percent. He is also entitled to a separate rating for painful scars associated with his head and face scars.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for spinal stenosis or bilateral aseptic necrosis, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current inguinal hernia disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for trichuriasis and diverticulitis with residuals of chronic diarrhea, finding that new evidence received since the last denial is material. However, the claim remains denied as there is no etiological link between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's eye problems, including refractive errors and congenital or developmental defects, are not service-connected as they were present prior to service and did not result from any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her left eye disability and left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable and excess of 10 percent evaluations for bilateral heel spurs and arch collapse, effective since December 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hoarseness is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional notice and development are necessary before the appeal can be decided, including providing notice of willful misconduct and obtaining relevant records from the Veteran's service, autopsy, and NCIS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, including pyria, is denied as there is no evidence of in-service trauma or disease that resulted in the need for treatment. The Board finds that his in-service tooth extractions were not due to combat wounds or other service trauma.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of verified service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses include total blindness of the left eye due to central retinal artery occlusion and glaucoma in each eye.,The Veteran's claims for entitlement to an initial compensable rating for headaches are being remanded for further development.