Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lipoma was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 5, 2010 and did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of skin growths, cysts, or lipomas. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's left eye droop/ptosis is not considered a new disability resulting from VA treatment, and the Board finds no fault on the part of VA in causing this condition.

The Board denied a claim for a Basic Housing Allowance (BHA) based on the zip code of Everett Community College (ECC), where the Veteran physically attends classes, rather than the zip code of Western Washington University (WWU), where she is enrolled. The BHA was previously granted at $1,278.00 per month and changed to $1,320.00 based on ECC's zip code.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a right thumb injury are manifested by pain with movement, weakness, fatigability, poor hand grasp, and loss in range of motion. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, which is not service-connected due to lack of presumptive service connection for esophageal cancer based on herbicide exposure. The cause of death was therefore not attributable to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's paresthesia of the mandibular division of the fifth cranial nerve is not considered to be caused by VA care, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current jaw disorder, including TMJ syndrome, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran is competent to manage his VA funds without limitation, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's dry eyes disability has been manifested by an active pathology requiring continuous treatment to control symptoms featuring pain/discomfort, and the Board granted a compensable initial rating of 10% for this condition.

The Veteran's appointment at DW Auto to fix his wheelchair did not warrant roundtrip reimbursement as it was not authorized by VA before the travel began and no special mode of transportation was required.

The Veteran's service-connected neuralgia of the superficial peroneal nerve, left is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has vacated the December 2007 decision denying a rating in excess of 30 percent for right herniorrhaphy and granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent. The ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment issue is addressed separately.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma is granted, as the evidence supports a finding of exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Korea and presumptive service connection applies.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current temporomandibular joint disorder and myofascial pain syndrome are due to in-service trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected left hand disability and whether separate ratings are warranted for each finger involved.

The Board has granted service connection for a bladder disability, specifically bladder outlet obstruction. The Veteran's current condition is found to be secondary to benign prostate hypertrophy resulting from trauma during military service in 1968.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the left leg is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PAD in his medical records.

The Veteran died from head and neck cancer. The Board found that his service-connected varicose veins did not cause or contribute to his death, as the surgery was not done for reasons unrelated to his varicose veins.