Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's breast cancer is not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tremors was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus to service. The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims were also considered but the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of establishing eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot rash is granted as the Board finds that his assertions of continuous problems with a foot rash from service to the present time are credible and etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for oral cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including consideration of presumed exposure to tactical herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including low back syndrome and degenerative disc disease, are related to service. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for a spine disability, fatigue (manifesting in CFS), left leg medial tibial tendonitis, and right leg medial tibial tendonitis. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current spine disability and his fatigue is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia and found no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for low back disability. The Board also denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be finally adjudicated. This includes obtaining private treatment records, VA treatment records, and an updated medical opinion regarding hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TMJ disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA dental treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as there was no diagnosed medical condition related to the high cholesterol readings.

The Veteran does not have qualifying active service during a period of war, and therefore is not eligible for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's countable annual income, after deducting allowable exclusions, has exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a Veteran in need of regular aid and attendance effective February 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts with vitreous floaters was granted effective March 20, 2012. This decision is based on the May 2012 and November 2012 VA examinations which showed that his bilateral cataracts and vitreous floaters were caused by or associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish herbicide exposure. The evidence does not show service connection for CLL or PV on a presumptive basis, as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Additionally, there is insufficient direct evidence to support service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the cause of death was not proximately caused by VA treatment and thus denies DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the claim as the service member's discharge was under dishonorable conditions, which bars VA benefits. The appellant has no legal entitlement to VA benefits and the appeal is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current stomach disorder is not related to her military service or secondary to her service-connected major depression, and thus denies her claim for service connection.

The appellant requested to withdraw their appeal due to inaccurate financial information for the Veteran, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's hypopituitarism, which causes polyuria with near-continuous thirst but no episodes of dehydration in the past year, is rated at 20 percent since September 9, 2010.