Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's ulcerative colitis was caused by herbicide exposure during military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for plantar fibromatosis of the right foot is dismissed due to his withdrawal prior to decision.

The Veteran's eligibility for educational assistance under the MGIB benefits is denied due to a lack of evidence showing contributions towards an educational program.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim, finding that his character of discharge was a bar to VA benefits due to his AWOL and absence from service under conditions other than honorable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service from January 21, 2002 to June 26, 2002 is deemed active duty for purposes of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and thus grants his claim.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his lung cancer and asbestos exposure in service. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a conclusion that service caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's right foot gout is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection. Initial ratings for bilateral pes cavus, heel spurs, and Achilles tendonitis are assigned.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for a left elbow disorder, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The denial is based on the finality of the October 1986 rating decision which denied the claim of service connection for a left elbow disorder due to lack of evidence of chronic disability in or after service.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts and pseudophakia were surgically corrected, but his vision impairment is not related to active service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and a neck condition, finding that the disease clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his entrance to active duty and was not aggravated by service. The neck condition claim was also found to have no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further consideration of the Veteran's claims under another appropriate diagnostic code.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cancer of the right vocal cord.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of both hips is related to his active service, including multiple parachute jumps during his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's stomach disorder is not related to his military service and denied this claim. The lung disorder, diagnosed as a calcified granuloma, was also found by the VA examiner to be less likely than not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination and medical opinion regarding whether T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia is caused or aggravated by in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have persistent ulceration of his left leg, which is required for a higher evaluation. The current 40 percent rating for left leg DVT remains appropriate.

The Veteran's joint aches and pains, including those related to CTS, are considered due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of his service in the Persian Gulf theater. Service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current scoliosis and degenerative disease do not meet the requirements for service connection as there is no evidence of any in-service event, injury, or disease upon which to base the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the level of impairment caused by his thoracic spine disability. The claim for TDIU has also been raised.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service and determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection was denied.