Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil and metastatic level II lymph nodes, which he claims is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's VA non-service-connected pension benefits were properly terminated from October 31, 2008 to March 2, 2009 due to his fugitive felon status.

The Board found that the Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is not related to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural plaques caused by exposure to asbestos. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is pending and will be addressed further.

The Veteran's service-connected thrombocytopenia has consistently manifested in blood platelet counts of 100,000 or more without bleeding. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's skin disability, including actinic keratosis, was not shown in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied because his active service did not occur during a period of war, making him ineligible for these benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 25, 2011 at the Mercy Hospital Grayling are granted as they meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement due to emergency treatment of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's osteomyelitis of the right iliac crest has resolved and is currently inactive, without repeated episodes or evidence of active infection in the past 5 years. As a result, he is not entitled to any compensable rating.

The Veteran's gastritis, esophageal ulcer, and hiatal hernia were found to have onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and specifically ruled out any connection to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The cause of death is attributed to carcinoma of the colon, which the VA examiner opined may have been influenced by environmental factors including possible exposure to herbicides, but did not provide sufficient evidence to support such a conclusion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's skin disability. The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right and left hand tremors are related to service on a direct basis, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease or bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis and gout of multiple joints have not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Board also denied the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to distinguish any visual impairment or disfigurement attributable to the service-connected minimal hyperemia of the eyes from that due to other diagnosed eye disorders. The case is also remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran does not have a current blood cancer disorder or chronic B-cell leukemia. The VA examiner found no evidence of such disorders in service and concluded that any current condition is unrelated to service.

The VA examiner found the Veteran's current back disorder less likely than not incurred in or caused by his claimed in-service injury, concluding that it was an acute and transitory condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a gastrointestinal disability and whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.