Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypersensitivity, edema, and fluid accumulation in his hands are residuals of cold injuries sustained during active service. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that arthritis of the right hand and fingers was caused by or related to these cold injuries.

The RO determined the claimant did not have qualifying service to be eligible for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund. The case is REMANDED due to insufficient verification of claimed service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current front lobe dementia is related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran did not sustain any injuries to his back or left hand during service, nor is there evidence of a link between these conditions and service.,There was no injury to the Veteran's left hand in service. The Board found that any claimed left hand disorder is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service and are not secondary to a pre-existing left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complaints of memory loss/disturbances and chronic sleep disorder are not service-connected, as they are attributed to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spouse did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and therefore is not eligible for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hidradenitis suppuritiva of the left groin and buttock, status post excision with skin grafting, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that his skin cyst is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right thigh disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including neurological and scar evaluations.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on asbestos exposure and providing VCAA notice regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran claims compensation for an abdominal defect or other post-surgical disorder, claimed as a residual of a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) performed in May 1995. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for higher special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, which was originally filed as an accrued benefits claim, has been granted in a January 23, 2013 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed because the benefit sought is already in effect.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's left leg disability, effective November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's stroke and its residuals are not related to his service, including his shrapnel injuries. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye exotropia is currently manifested by corrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/30, with impaired depth perception and inability to use stereoscopic vision. The criteria for a compensable evaluation have not been met.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, including his reserve duty in tanks. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to any period of active or inactive duty training.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including obtaining medical opinions and records.