Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has separated the issue on appeal based on distinct diagnoses/symptoms affecting the Veteran's right eye. The claim of service connection for a right eye condition, other than cataracts is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has requested a VA examination for the Veteran's dental conditions, and the case is being remanded to obtain this report.

The Veteran's application for additional VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied because he did not exhaust his remaining Chapter 30 benefits prior to January 1, 2012. As a result, he only received three days of Chapter 33 benefits which were applied to an eligible education program starting on January 7, 2012.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not submit new and material evidence to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as the cause of death was respiratory arrest and anoxic brain damage, unrelated to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service was in the Philippine Recognized Guerillas, which does not qualify for non-service-connected pension benefits. The appellant is denied non-service-connected pension and burial benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income is excessive for VA improved pension benefits, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran is entitled to an additional annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2012 due to prescribed skin medications that cause irreparable damage to his outer garments, as determined by a clinical evaluation. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim and granted it.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service or any incident of service, and his service-connected kidney stones did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claim for dental treatment at the Manila VAOPC outside the United States is denied as he is not service-connected for any eye or dental disability that would qualify him for such treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability related to his presumed in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or depression, and therefore cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is against a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's active service and his current personality disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's left thigh numbness was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scleroderma with sclerodactyly and fatigue, to include as due to herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no evidence showing that the condition began during or immediately after service, within one year of separation, or is otherwise related to service. The Board found that the Veteran's claim cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease was denied as the disease clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his active service. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and prostatitis were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for spondyloarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritic condition had its onset during service and is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected uveitis.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcers are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 19, 2014, and as 20 percent disabling since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cholangiocarcinoma is as likely as not due to exposure to river flukes and other parasites during his active military service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bunionectomy resulted in severe postoperative residuals with swelling requiring elevation and regular weight bearing prohibited, necessitating a doctor-mandated restriction from work until January 3, 2010. The Board granted an extension of the temporary total evaluation from November 1, 2009 to January 3, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to exposure to herbicides, finding that his duties at the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base brought him near the air base perimeter and exposed him to herbicide use.

The Board has reopened the claim and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. The appellant's statements relating to continuity of symptomatology since his in-service injury suggest a possible nexus between service and current disability.