Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer with lung metastasis and polycythemia vera, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes. The conditions are not among the presumptive disabilities associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, specifically inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis, which he claims is secondary to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including in recognized guerrillas, to establish eligibility for payment from the FVEC Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized service as a guerrilla with the U.S. Armed Forces, and thus, the criteria for entitlement to one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund are not met.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have recognized service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the 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 FVEC Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the legal requirements for obtaining a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund and therefore denies the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC 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.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lake City Medical Center on September 15, 2009 is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and scheduling for a travel board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a lack of verification of the appellant's service records from the National Personnel Records Center.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of indebtedness due to overpayment of VA benefits is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a disability manifested by numbness, pain, and tingling of the left upper extremity, finding it directly related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia has been manifested by pain in the area of the groin and abdomen, but no hernia has been present and no truss or belt is required. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not manifest moderately severe symptoms of partial obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right thumb and left ring finger trigger fingers were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for dental disabilities other than tooth #8 is denied as there is no credible evidence of trauma or disease in service causing bone loss. The Veteran's allegations about a fall during service are inconsistent with STRs and subsequent medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability of the hands and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on his exposure to herbicides or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tonsil cancer and to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions. The appellant's claims for service connection and DEA benefits are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the acquisition of relevant medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's rectal bleeding is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the current severity of his service-connected residuals of a left spontaneous pneumothorax. The issues regarding scars and hernia are also being referred back to the RO.