Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and to confirm his exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is seeking service connection for carotid artery disease and stenosis status post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's disabilities do not qualify him for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring a special housing adaptation grant due to the lack of a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the submission of updated treatment records and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's salivary gland cancer is service-connected due to exposure during Operation DOMINIC I, a radiation-risk activity. The Board finds that the presumption of service connection for salivary gland cancer in radiation-exposed veterans applies and grants service connection.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for the purpose of VA death benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran, which was procured by his misconduct without fault on her part. The Board finds no basis to recognize her as a surviving spouse under applicable law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver disorder is related to his service-connected back disorder and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver hemangiomas is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the disease is not recognized as being associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the payment of additional benefits based on dependency, finding that the necessary evidence was not received prior to February 22, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying his claim for non-service-connected pension benefits from August 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of left hallux valgus deformity are currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic foot fungus, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition that he claims first appeared in service.

The Board denied a request for an effective date earlier than June 28, 2012, for the grant of DIC benefits for the Veteran's minor child. The decision found that no claim was made prior to this date and thus the earliest possible effective date is June 28, 2012.

The Veteran seeks service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, right-side facial paralysis, and nerve damage of the right arm with weakness. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether his squamous cell carcinoma may be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a dental disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Raynaud's syndrome was received on November 29, 2013. The Board finds that the effective date cannot be earlier than this date as there is no evidence of record showing an increase in disability prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a special apportionment of 20 percent of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to her financial hardship and lack of support from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his mental health disorder claim.