Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's residuals of a deviated septum and rhinoplasty are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a right eye disability, as his macular cyst with defective vision clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board found that the Veteran's request for a waiver of indebtedness was timely and allowed it, thus granting the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lung disorder, oral cancer, or soft tissue sarcoma that is attributable to his military service. The Veteran's current respiratory condition (COPD) and oral cancer are not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides or bacteria.

The Board denied service connection for musculoskeletal pain and neurological symptoms in the lower extremities, finding no probative evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's right hip disability was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to June 8, 2006 and on and after July 2, 2009. The claim for increased ratings is granted.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on July 3, 2003 at Evanston Regional Hospital was denied as the claim was filed over 90 days after the treatment.

The Veteran's colorectal cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner found the condition less likely than not related to active duty military service or to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that there is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's cause of death to his service, including any herbicide exposure. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the cancers causing the Veteran's death were related to his service.

The Veteran's tonsil cancer did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure and venereal disease experienced during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Board found that there is no evidence of radiation exposure or asbestos exposure during service, and the lung cancer was not caused by these exposures. The Veteran's lung cancer is also not considered to have begun during service based on the available evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for retroactive Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, of the United States Code due to lack of timely filing and other legal requirements.

The Veteran and the appellant were not married for at least one year prior to the Veteran's death, nor within fifteen years of his separation from service. The appellant does not meet the eligibility criteria for VA DIC or pension benefits as a surviving spouse.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a Gulf War VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, which he contends is related to chemical exposure during his deployment in the Gulf War region, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requested additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure and ordered a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is pending.

The Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total disability rating, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of hernia surgery, and compensable initial rating for hemorrhoids were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extended period of convalescence beyond December 31, 2007 or higher ratings for his hernias.

The claim for accrued benefits was denied as the appellant filed her claim over one year after the death of her mother, who was receiving VA benefits.