Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, with the Veteran's agreement. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's myelodysplastic syndrome, finding that it is more likely than not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral nerve deafness was rated at 100% from November 4, 2004. The appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits as the Veteran did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant and the Veteran had a common law marriage for more than one year prior to the Veteran's death, which is sufficient evidence to recognize her as his surviving spouse for purposes of receiving DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge does not constitute a bar to VA benefits, as his actions did not rise to the level of moral turpitude.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, right side, with scar tissue.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's memory impairment is due to or caused by service-connected sleep apnea and/or PTSD. The earlier effective date claims related to head injury and memory impairment are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the effective date for the grant of TDIU, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his fatal pancreatic cancer was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's intestinal disability is characterized by pain, diarrhea, and occasional fecal incontinence. A separate rating of 20 percent for these symptoms has been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA negligence or carelessness, and thus his claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected condylomata (genital warts) resulted in one flare up a year with small pimples around the anus covering less than 5 percent of his body, requiring topical anti-fungal medications and soap and water to keep the affected area clean. The Board found that this level of disability did not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as there is no evidence of a factual need for aid and attendance, nor does he meet the criteria for being considered permanently housebound.

The Veteran was denied service connection for amyloidosis due to the failure to provide new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unstable angina is being remanded due to the need to obtain STRs and post-service treatment records, as well as a VA addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, a skin disorder (claimed as skin blisters), and a gastrointestinal disorder is granted. The gastrointestinal disorder is presumed to be due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of osteochondral lesion, left tibia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected traumatic nasal obstruction and temporomandibular disorder do not warrant ratings in excess of their current assigned ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure. The left arm disability is also found to be related to his service-connected condition.