Other conditions decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder). Service connection is remanded for head and neck cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a contusion to the right side of abdomen and chest has been reopened, and his adenocarcinoma of the colon with multiple polyposis, post-operative with an ileostomy is related to service. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a contusion to the right side of abdomen and chest due to recurring pain.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the veteran's current right eye disabilities, including cataracts and pseudophakia, are related to his reported injury during active service.

The Veteran's left foot callus resulted in moderate impairment, and the Board denied a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia vera due to radiation exposure is remanded as the VA needs to obtain more information about his alleged exposure and prepare a dose estimate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a soft tissue sarcoma of the right arm, as due to exposure to herbicides, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran set foot in Vietnam during his service and was presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. As a result, he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death, specifically whether exposure to toxins during service is related to amyloidosis and multiple myeloma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiation illness as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation due to incomplete development and lack of a current diagnosis. The case will be sent to the Under Secretary for Benefits for further action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disorder must be remanded due to incomplete medical records and lack of notification.

The Veteran's stress fracture of the left tibia is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 25, 2017 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board denied increased ratings for both periods.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lymphoma was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage in the Veteran's bilateral lower extremities, attributing it to his diabetes rather than exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits from the maximum level of 60% was denied as his service during September 18, 2011 to February 22, 2013 is not considered active duty for purposes of calculating benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for lung granuloma (histoplasmosis) and remanded it due to insufficient evidence to determine if the condition is related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder claimed as the residuals of jungle rot, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's deceased husband had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including in the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. The evidence submitted by the appellant does not show any such service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for service-connected impaired hearing was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected hearing loss from November 20, 2007, was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing stomach disability worsened during service.