Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's cold injury to the right great toe was manifested by cold sensitivity, color changes, locally impaired sensation, and fungal infection of the toenail. The criteria for a 30 percent rating reasonably describe the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue is being remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sinus bradycardia and atrial fibrillation. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.

Your claim for service connection for erythrocytosis (formerly claimed as polycythemia) has been denied. The Board dismissed your appeal because it was not properly perfected and you did not appeal the August 2014 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed left auricular trigeminal neuralgia and otalgia are at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically a blast injury caused by being in proximity to firing tanks. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because they did not serve during a period of war, making them ineligible under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefit purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is denied because the effective date for an additional award of compensation for his child, I.V.S., as a dependent based on school attendance cannot be prior to February 1, 2012. The evidence does not show that the Veteran submitted information regarding school attendance within one year of I.V.S.'s 18th birthday.

The Veteran asserts that he has a right hand disability, specifically a torn ligament in the right index finger, as a result of active duty service. The Board finds remand is warranted to verify all periods of active duty and obtain his service treatment records and SSA records.

The Board found that the overpayment of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits in the amount of $13,062.03 was not properly created and granted the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claim was timely filed and further development is required to address the merits of the underlying claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a Government-furnished bronze niche headstone or marker due to the Veteran's death prior to November 1, 1990 and his burial in a private cemetery.

The Board has remanded the case due to disputes regarding the validity of an overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits. Additional information is needed from the claimant about her income and proceeds from a car sale.

The Veteran's cause of death was caused by AML, which the VA Secretary has recognized as a disability that may be related to exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that his AML is at least as likely as not due to such exposure.,Service connection for AML for accrued benefits purposes is granted because the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's AML was caused by exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected herpes progenitalis was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia of the patella and post-operative left total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyploidy dermal nevi head lesions, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development. The Board will consider the evidence and determine whether there is a relationship between the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reduction in the evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer, and thus there are no issues to be decided.