Other conditions decisions — 2014

The case is being remanded for a VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's testicular cancer is related to both Agent Orange exposure during service and asbestos exposure aboard Navy ships.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for blepharitis of the eyelids must be further developed.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right tibia fracture with sensory nerve damage was granted, and he is currently assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal in February 2014.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the neck was not caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure during service. Service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left eye conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sexual dysfunction is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer. The Veteran was not found to have any service-connected dental disability, as his missing teeth were due to neglect rather than in-service trauma or disease. For the duodenal ulcer claim, the Board noted that there were no recent testing or clinical signs of recurrence, and the condition did not impact the Veteran's ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hand arthritis is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including chondromalacia and instability, have been rated at the maximum available evaluations (40% for both knees combined), reflecting their severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a cardiac disability due to incomplete medical records and further examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's perirectal abscesses have been rated as 30 percent disabling prior to April 22, 2013 and 60 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further review of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's net worth is excessive and a bar to receiving improved death pension benefits, based on her life expectancy and potential rate of depletion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis and supraglottis is presumptively associated with exposure to herbicides, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and multilevel degenerative joint disease warrants a 20 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's geographic tongue with residual tongue sensitivity, including burning sensation and altered sense of taste, first manifested in service and persists to the present. The Board finds that this condition is a direct result of his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was under conditions other than honorable due to multiple and prolonged periods of AWOL, which served as a bar to VA benefits. The Board concluded there were no compelling circumstances or evidence of insanity at the time of the extended period of AWOL.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether she should be rated under a different Diagnostic Code.