Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bulging discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's National Guard service from January 15, 2010 through December 31, 2011 was not considered active federal service and does not qualify as creditable service for purposes of establishing a higher rate of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for metastatic cancer due to a service-connected hysterectomy and has also found that the Veteran's death was caused by her service-connected condition. The appeal is granted in full.

The Veteran's claim for VRAP benefits was denied because he did not pursue a program of education on a full-time basis as required by the applicable statute.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disorder did not originate in service or within a year of service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for carcinoma of the lungs prior to April 1, 2013 is denied. A 100% evaluation has been granted from April 1, 2013 onward.

The Veteran's right and left mid-foot degenerative joint disease and calcaneal spurs have been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision. Effective July 1, 2015, they are now rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for blood clots of the left leg.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected dysthymic disorder and for further adjudication of his TDIU claim.

The Board found the Veteran's nasopharyngeal carcinoma not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left tibia injury, to include osteomyelitis, is granted. The condition has been rated as 20 percent disabling on and after July 25, 2015.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying active service for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and therefore, his claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative hammer toe of the right 5th toe and condylectomy of the right 4th toe are etiologically related to symptoms noted in service.,Service connection is granted for left eye uveitis and photophobia, as these conditions had their onset during military service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a one-time payment from the FVECF due to lack of certification of qualifying service by a U.S. service department, and no new evidence was received that could change this determination.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to October 6, 2009; 10 percent disabling from October 6, 2009, to January 12, 2010; 100 percent disabling from January 13, 2010, to February 28, 2010; and 10 percent disabling from March 1, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability is currently rated as a moderate other foot injury under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran developed a malignant glial neoplasm as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The death certificate lists the cause of death as malignant glial neoplasm, and the medical evidence supports this finding. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back condition or pilonidal cyst in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for status post liver mass, but denied service connection for liver cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is etiologically related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.