Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left patellofemoral syndrome is not shown to be manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees or less, extension limited at 10 degrees or more, subluxation or lateral instability; it is essentially asymptomatic and does not cause any functional impairment. Therefore, a compensable rating for the disability is denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for mesothelioma, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC due to lack of qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces prior to July 1, 1946.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to a certification by the service department that he did not have valid military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 12, 2007, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied as he has not established entitlement to service connection for any disability prior to that date.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of service in the United States Armed Forces, as determined by the National Personnel Records Center.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder, stomach disorder, hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete copies of the Veteran's service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain these records from ARPCEN and RMC.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted, effective March 20, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully satisfied.

The Veteran's current liver disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including the in-service use of Aldomet and exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran has not yet been provided with an adequate opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for right leg neuritis prior to October 7, 2009 was granted. However, his request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition from that date forward was denied.

The Veteran's left hand disability, manifested by pain and numbness, is not service-connected as there are no in-service complaints or treatment related to this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm vein and artery removal, as well as his request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for oral herpes.

The Veteran's right hand disability, specifically the fracture residuals of the fifth metacarpal, is rated at 10 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was denied as his condition does not prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been rendered moot due to the grant of the claim by the RO, effective March 2, 2007.

The Veteran's lung disability (bilateral pleural lipomatosis) was not shown to be related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The eye disability claims were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.

The Veteran's psoriatic arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been due to exposure to Agent Orange.

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 FVEC Fund, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cancer of the left tonsil, which he asserts was caused or aggravated by his exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. The VA has determined that tonsillar cancers are not entitled to coverage under the presumptions because no clear statistical correlation with herbicide exposure has been found. However, an award of service connection based on direct causation is still possible.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome were denied. The appeal does not involve any service connection via a presumption, exposure to specific toxins or environments, or reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's residuals of a fractured right fifth finger have been rated at 10 percent since May 31, 2006.