Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection for multiple myeloma is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, as his duties placed him at or near the base perimeter where herbicides were used.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for right eye trauma as the Veteran withdrew his request to proceed with the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for aortic valve stenosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 23, 2005 for the grant of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 compensation for CMV retinitis.,The Board also denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 23, 2005 for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) due to blindness.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence to support a claim that Agent Orange exposure contributed to his oropharyngeal carcinoma. The cause of death listed on the death certificate is smoking.

The Board has decided to remand the DIC benefits claim due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The opioid use condition of the decedent is also under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a vascular disability and prostate cancer, finding that there was no current diagnosis or evidence to support these claims. The effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer is set at April 6, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date provided by law is February 20, 2012 due to the Veteran not having a claim for ischemic heart disease denied between September 1985 and May 1989 or having a pending claim of service connection for an ischemic heart disease between May 1989 and August 31, 2010. The Board also found that VA treatment records from July 2009 through December 2010 were not associated with the claims file.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right hip bursitis and a higher rating for DJD of the right acromioclavicular joint. The claims are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.,The VA examiner did not conduct an examination during flare-ups or provide an opinion on functional loss during such periods, which is required by regulation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of colon cancer was dismissed due to the death of his surviving spouse.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issue on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and locating missing service treatment records. The Veteran's claim for reopening his previously denied lower back condition will be remanded.

The Veteran's scar from squamous cell carcinoma removal on the left chest was rated as 0% due to it not meeting any specific criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his multiple myeloma is related to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has remanded the case for further investigation and determination regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, which could potentially establish a presumption of exposure. The cause of death is also under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness associated with service in the Persian Gulf. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of fatigue and there was no medical evidence linking fatigue to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip condition and thyroid disability are related to service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for familial polyposis, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between his current condition and active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, accepting the original compensation determination for a right little finger fracture with ankylosis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for a dental disability for compensation purposes. The case is now remanded for further action, including scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal for service connection of a right thumb fracture has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of recent examination and for further evaluation.