Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's cause of death from malignant neoplasms at the floor of the mouth is found to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not related to his service, specifically due to a lack of credible evidence showing significant exposure to pesticides in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) was incurred coincident with his period of active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his terminal colorectal cancer was not related to his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected mitral valve stenosis has resulted in chronic congestive heart failure, with a workload of 3 Metabolic Equivalents (METs) or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. This meets the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's right elbow DJD with limited motion is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a stroke were not caused or aggravated by his active service or any service-connected disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for each hip, with the right hip rated at 10 percent and the left hip also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected trochanteric bursitis of both hips is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's request to participate in the VRAP program due to his last period of active service being terminated by a bad conduct discharge for persistent and willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hallux valgus and right thumb disability have been denied. The Board finds that the current symptomatology does not warrant a compensable rating for left hallux valgus, a compensable rating prior to October 14, 2005 for right hallux valgus, or an increased rating as of December 1, 2005.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's left foot amputation, finding that his condition more closely approximates amputation not improvable by prosthesis controlled by natural knee action. The effective date is to be determined based on further review.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as he did not incur any additional disability due to VA treatment in March and April 2005.

The Board denied a compensable rating for rhabdomyolysis and found no evidence of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the request for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits on behalf of their minor child, finding that the Veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for the support of his daughter and that apportionment would not cause undue hardship.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye cataract is proximately due to or the result of Thorazine medication used for his service-connected psychosis not otherwise specified, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the left leg warrants a 40 percent rating prior to May 8, 2013 and is denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lichen simplex condition has been rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2007. The RO increased the rating to 30 percent in April 2013, but the issue remains in appellate status as it is not a complete grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with anemia and bladder problems, as well as a prostate condition, have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's stomach disorder. The issue is still pending as it relates to direct service connection.