Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with Barrett's esophagitis and pancreatic lesion is rated at 60 percent, which grants the maximum disability rating for this condition. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tingling, numbness, and tremor of the hands and dizziness have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to herbicide exposure within one year after presumed exposure. The Veteran's conditions are not listed among the presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records and lack of evidence regarding exposure to mustard gas or asbestos. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to provide more information about his claimed asbestos exposure, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his lung disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is related to her active service, particularly her exposure to radiation and/or PCB. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper respiratory disorder, skin disorder and discoloration, pharyngitis, memory and sleep-related disorder, and early menopause due to lack of a current diagnosis in each case.

The Board has granted service connection for a right trapezius strain but denied service connection for a right elbow disorder. The Veteran's right shoulder pain is related to his military service, while there is no evidence of a diagnosed right elbow disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, there are outstanding records from the Veteran's Reserve command unit VAW-78 that need to be obtained. The exposure to ionizing radiation is also a matter that needs further investigation.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for nephrolithiasis and right thumb injury have been denied, but he is now receiving a 10% rating for his right thumb injury.

The Veteran's loss of all upper and lower teeth due to service-connected residuals of tonsil cancer is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, which grants a 40% rating.

The Board previously granted a TDIU effective December 2, 1998. However, the appeal is dismissed as there are no allegations of errors for appellate consideration.

The Board denied service connection for MSA based on exposure to Benzene at Camp Lejeune and Persian Gulf War service, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these exposures and the Veteran's condition. The need for SMC based on aid and attendance was also denied as it is due to non-service connected progression of MSA.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with MSA since 2008, but there is no direct service connection found. Exposure to Benzene at Camp Lejeune during his active duty from June 1978 to January 1979 was considered, but the Board concluded that it did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran is not entitled to VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as his left eye blindness was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in furnishing medical treatment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability (claimed as gum disease) for compensation purposes, finding no evidence of such a condition. The issue of service connection for a jaw disability, to include TMJ (claimed as lock jaw), remains pending.

The Board has determined that the current examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's leukemia and in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his fecal stress incontinence and damage to the neurovascular bundle of the rectum.

The Board found that there was no service connection for AIDS, and the Veteran's death from AIDS did not result from a service-connected disability. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, and therefore his death due to a malignant neoplasm of the prostate with metastases is presumed to be related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.