Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected residuals of cold injury of the feet, hands, and ears. The examiner concluded these conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's antisynthetase disease and interstitial lung disease are related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypogammaglobulinemia was granted, with the effective date set at January 31, 2013.,The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease with bradycardia was dismissed as untimely.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myelodysplastic syndrome did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service, including his presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disorder and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a stomach disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases for denying an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for right foot hammertoes. The Veteran's symptoms, including numbness, were not adequately explained as being attributable to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dysthymia is at least as likely as not related to his in-service experiences, including being under fire and moving bodies of Vietcong. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (dysthymia) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a new VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between APL and service exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected neurological impairment in the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, which represents moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the residuals of nasal fractures since September 19, 2005. The effective date is set at February 17, 2012.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder was not shown to be related to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The Board finds that the current respiratory condition is not due to or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's gouty arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is unrelated to any event of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service for the purpose of obtaining the one-time payment from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and posttraumatic degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under the criteria for limitation of motion. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 8, 2007 is granted due to the emergency nature of his treatment and the lack of feasible VA facilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neck injuries sustained during active duty. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current cervical spine disability and remands the case for this purpose.

The appellant is not legally entitled to an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits as his dependent spouse due to the annulment of their marriage and the termination of his VA compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence, including service personnel records, VA medical records, and Social Security Administration disability records.