Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's heart murmur is not indicative of a heart disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for arthritis of the back, which is considered a direct service connection as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's neurological impairment of the lower extremities is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claim for SMC and TDIU are also addressed as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's numbness of the fifth cranial nerve on the right side of his face, but denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim prior to April 8, 2009 is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied both claims.

The Veteran's skin disorders other than furunculous had their onset in service and the Board finds that service connection for these conditions is warranted.

The service-connected COPD is found to have contributed substantially or materially in causing the Veteran's death from metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The cause of death was listed as colon cancer, which was not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for residuals of a right foot injury is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracic spine disability. The issues on appeal include an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracic spine disability, as well as service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service dates and a need for an examination to determine if nasal polyps are related to service. Service connection will be reconsidered based on these findings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim regarding his discharge character, thus denying the request.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected right leg shin splints. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised and must be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's duodenal ulcer with dumping syndrome post-surgery is manifested by extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements, which most closely resembles a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7332. Therefore, a 60 percent rating for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bone spurs of the right foot, finding that there is a link between current symptoms and service. Service connection was not established for costochondritis and/or Tietze syndrome due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied an increase in apportionment of the Veteran's compensation benefits, finding that it would cause undue financial hardship to the Veteran and his dependents.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for eligibility to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to his other than honorable discharge from service, finding no legal basis to find him eligible.

The Veteran's service does not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for VA pension benefits, thus his claim must be denied as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg varicose veins are not etiologically related to his service, and specifically to his service-connected left leg varicose veins. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection either.