Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary breathing condition, to include as secondary to in-service asbestos exposure, was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected otitis media with perforated eardrum of the right ear is rated at 10 percent since May 22, 2008.

The Veteran's cerebral ataxia, manifested by unsteady gait and impaired coordination, has been rated as 20 percent disabling since November 16, 2000. The rating for right knee instability and arthritis, and the rating for right knee scar have not yet been assigned effective dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of his service-connected eye and nasal conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is related to his active service, specifically his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for IPF due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is eligible for VA death pension benefits effective July 1, 2007, based on her timely submission of a claim within one year after the Veteran's death in July 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's right breast cancer did not have onset during active service, was not caused by his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's oropharyngeal carcinoma, which was the cause of his death, is found to be service-connected as it is not a respiratory cancer and there is no evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure. As a result, the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is rendered moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right leg and/or right foot disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to military service.

The Veteran is not entitled to SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he meets the criteria for SMC based on being housebound.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and for a compensable rating for hyperhidrosis, indicating satisfaction with the benefits he currently receives.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left calf fragment wound with retained foreign bodies and Muscle Group XI involvement are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right leg were not productive of stasis pigmentation or eczema prior to May 17, 2010. Since then, they have been productive of persistent edema with stasis pigmentation but no ulceration.,Since May 17, 2010, the Veteran's right thigh scar has been productive of pain and tenderness.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and requests for additional information from the Veteran and his spouse.

The Board has determined that the appellant's ulcerative colitis does not warrant a compensable rating, and therefore denied his claim. The coccyx disorder issue is pending as it is unclear whether service connection can be established.

The Veteran does not meet the threshold service requirement for eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits as his service did not occur during a period of war.

The Board found that the Veteran's son, GFR, did not become permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years due to his mental and physical disabilities. Therefore, the claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.