Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board determined that the Veteran is competent for VA purposes to handle disbursement of funds, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fractured cusps secondary to his service-connected TMJ dysfunction status post jaw surgery was denied as there is no evidence of a current dental disability.

The Board has determined that the $2,980 debt incurred for medical services received at a VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia was not properly created due to the Veteran's status as a fugitive felon. As such, the debt is deemed invalid and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as it is not shown that the Veteran's claim was received by VA prior to May 15, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia was denied as there is no evidence of radiation exposure in service and the disease is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PCT is rated at 30 percent for skin manifestations and 100 percent for the residuals related to treatment, including phlebotomies.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep disorders (including insomnia) and to assess the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left Achilles tendonitis and an initial compensable rating for right Achilles tendonitis, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims. The claim for a higher disability rating for left knee surgical scars was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), is likely due to his exposure to oil well fire toxins during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for colon cancer. On de novo review, the Board finds that service connection is warranted as the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service more likely than not caused his colon cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his ACL repair and partial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the remaining issue of waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits for the period from September 28, 2011 to December 16, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his service-connected acne vulgaris and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication consistent with a July 2012 Memorandum Decision from the Court.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hysterectomy was not related to her service-connected pelvic adhesions, and therefore denied her claim of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected Restless Leg Syndrome is rated at a 10 percent disability level, effective December 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected aortic valve replacement disability and an opinion on whether he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot strain disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service, and denied both issues of service connection.

The Veteran's right thigh myositis ossifications have been rated at 10 percent since September 30, 2007. The current rating is based on pain and limitation of motion in the right thigh.