Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder of the feet, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral cavus foot disability with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent for each foot, which meets the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left hip degenerative changes are likely due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income is in excess of the prescribed limit for entitlement to nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's dermatomyositis is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active military service, including Agent Orange exposure in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mood disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current left lower leg disability and denied his claim for service connection. The right pleural effusion with chronic right fibrous pleuritis was rated at 10%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral elbow disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for recurrent cysts, claimed as soft tissue sarcoma, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a link between his current skin disorder and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no positive association between exposure to herbicide and basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratoses. The claim was decided on a direct basis as these conditions were not listed among those diseases presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The VA determined that the appellant did not have service as a recognized guerrilla with the U.S. Armed Forces, thus denying his claim for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since January 6, 2006. The effective date for service connection remains January 6, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for left hip arthritis and right hip bursitis, but granted a 10% initial rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran developed Dressler's syndrome as a known complication of his coronary artery bypass graft surgery at VA, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support an element of fault on the part of VA in providing this treatment.

The Veteran's recurring right ganglion cyst has been rated as a compensable disability from October 1, 2006 to December 9, 2009. Since December 10, 2009, the rating for this condition is greater than 10 percent.

The VA determined that the appellant's dermatophytosis of the bilateral feet did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it affected less than 5% of his total body surface area and no exposed areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental problems and nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as the Veteran did not have qualifying service during a recognized period of war.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear separation code 'KDG' and the need for further investigation by the Department of Defense. The case will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as the same-sex marriage between him and his spouse is not recognized under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral acute otitis externa is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological or ear disease treatment records.