Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of those already assigned to his service-connected limitations of left thigh abduction, extension, and flexion associated with a fracture of the left femur. The appeal is being dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and notification issues, including failure to provide a copy of the SOC to the Veteran's wife and her right to appear at the scheduled hearing. The claim is also being reviewed for updated financial information and records related to SSA disability benefits termination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's epiphora of the left eye is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen claims for service connection for numbness of the right and left arms (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) was received. However, both issues were denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for cause of the Veteran's death because the submitted evidence was either redundant or not material.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, specifically bi-polar disorder, is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective September 12, 2011.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 10 percent, also effective September 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), was due to in-service herbicide exposure and service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to anaplastic astrocytoma, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the cancer to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's fatal metastatic esophageal cancer is related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. Additionally, the appellant should receive proper notice regarding her claim.

The Veteran's skin disability is currently rated at 0 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under VA regulations. The condition affects less than 5% of his entire body and treated only with topical over-the-counter medication.

The claim for accrued benefits due to the Veteran's surviving spouse for the month of his death is denied as neither the Appellant nor the estate of the Veteran's surviving spouse are proper claimants.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a pregnancy is denied as there is no current disability found related to her active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have gout of the ankles, feet, or knees that is attributable to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates that current gout was not related to in-service events and there are no other service-connected conditions aggravating the condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was related to his military service and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility due to abdominal pain was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency services under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the nature of any additional disability resulting from the January 2008 VA surgery and whether it was caused by negligence or fault. The claim for service connection for residuals of ear infections will also be readjudicated.