Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it existed prior to service, was aggravated by service, or is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia, ventral hernia, and left inguinal hernia do not warrant a compensable rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diplopia was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination. The primary issue is whether the Veteran has a current urethrovaginal fistula that had its clinical onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to a primary cancer at the base of the tongue, which is not subject to presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied DIC benefits under § 1318.

The claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund is denied as the deceased did not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for skin cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the current skin disability is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is seeking a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, to include retinal macroaneurysm in the left eye status post laser. The case has been remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and an updated eye examination.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of acid-splash injury have been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 28, 2003. The VA examiner found that the primary symptoms were pain and intermittent irritation, which are consistent with his diagnosed conditions such as madarosis (loss of eyelashes), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), loss of eyelashes, and dry eye syndrome. The Veteran's vision has been stable but he continues to experience symptoms that affect his daily life.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records and other relevant documents to determine if he was treated for a cold injury during his active duty in Germany. The case will be remanded for further review after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's hysterectomy was not related to any in-service incident or treatment, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative left and right leg varicose veins do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no persistent edema or other complications required for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by acute myelogenous leukemia, which may be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her service-connected right upper extremity neuralgia was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a neurologic examination.

The Veteran's service-connected status post liver laceration was rated at 10 percent from April 20, 2010. The VA examiner found no incapacitating episodes or significant weight loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pains, increased heart rate, and heart murmurs, finding no chronic disability manifested during or since service. The Veteran was not granted presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to lack of objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD did not cause or result in his bilateral hip arthritis, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's representative.