Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected abdominal pain does not result in marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization, and the manifestations of the disability are adequately contemplated by the applicable schedular rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral vascular insufficiency, finding it was incurred due to exposure to burn pit hazards during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of newly developed evidence, and referral of dental treatment issues.

The Veteran's loss of teeth is considered service-connected for treatment purposes, but not for compensation purposes due to the nature of his condition.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected vasodepressor syncope. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining medical opinions and additional treatment records, is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient records from service and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current peptic ulcer disease is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $642.13 for nonservice-connected pension benefits was not valid due to administrative error, and thus the Veteran's claim is dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that there is at least as much evidence to support the claim of service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the face, and therefore grants the claim.

The Veteran's education program at the University of Iowa Hospitals/Clinics EMS Learning Resource Center was determined to be a non-college degree program and therefore not eligible for benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill). The claim is denied.

The appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund was denied as he does not have status as a veteran for purposes of VA benefits.

The Veteran requested a hearing but later withdrew his appeal. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's reflux esophagitis was rated at 10 percent prior to March 9, 2011 and at 30 percent from March 9, 2011. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent is appropriate.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have qualifying service as per VA regulations and therefore, is denied entitlement to a one-time payment from the FVEC.

The Board has determined that the appellant and the Veteran did not present agreement or mutual consent to enter into a marriage following their 1977 divorce, nor did they publicly recognize the existence of the marriage. The evidence does not support the claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Board found that the Veteran's cancer of the head and neck, with unknown primary site, is not related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for hidradenitis suppurativa as of August 30, 2002. The Veteran's skin disability required near-constant use of systemic therapy such as corticosteroids and antibiotic drugs.

The Veteran's esophageal and rectal cancers are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The VHA opinion found no recent studies supporting a correlation between herbicide exposure and the risk for esophageal or rectal cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for epicondylitis of the right and left elbows, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left thumb.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate efforts in obtaining service records and a copy of the Veteran's DD Form 214. The appellant will be notified if further action is required.