Other conditions decisions — 2013

The VA determined that the appellant did not have sufficient documented service to qualify for benefits from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's cancer of the oral cavity, status post partial right maxillectomy with lymph node removal is not shown to be due to his exposure to ionizing radiation or other disease or injury that was incurred in service. The Board finds no reasonable possibility that the Veteran's cancer resulted from exposure to radiation in service.

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 denies the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of May 18, 2009, for the grant of DIC benefits. The decision stated that there was no evidence she filed for SSA survivor benefits at the time of her husband's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the appellant's representative and a need for further consideration of her claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for recurrent duodenal ulcer with secondary anemia, psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted such a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have soft tissue sarcoma or an abdominal lipoma, and thus denied service connection for both conditions. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's PTSD and either condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 30, 2009 was denied as he had been gainfully employed until that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's service-connected somatization disorder with hypochondriasis is being considered as the basis for determining whether he needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination by a qualified ophthalmologist to assess the Veteran's left eye macular microhole with associated operculum and its impact on his ability to work. The case will also be considered for extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coarctation of the aorta, adult type and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including traumatic arthritis and a history of medial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 20% based on limitation of motion. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear source of complaints and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from prior injuries.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's head injury or encephalitis, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's ptosis of the left eye with diplopia is not manifested by the left pupil being wholly obscured, and his corrected visual acuity in the left eye is no worse than 20/70. The ptosis causes moderate disfigurement but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder is denied as there is no showing of a compensable service-connected disability, and the private treatment received after service does not qualify under VA eligibility criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic right index finger disorder to include fracture residuals was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to a head injury incurred during service, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's urethral damage and penile prosthesis failure were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The initial placement of an inappropriate catheter was noted but deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee patellar tendon rupture and post-operative status post repair was granted at a 10 percent disability rating effective August 1, 2006. The issues of separate evaluations for limitation of extension, instability, and surgical scar were also addressed.