Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for a GI disorder, an increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer, and a compensable rating for nodule, flexor tendon sheath, right ring finger.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and pain, has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2006. The examination findings have consistently shown flexion to 130 degrees with no limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hamstring tear disability is best rated as moderate, with pain, tenderness, and weakness in the right leg. The criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 30, 2007 and from July 1, 2007 through April 22, 2009. From April 23, 2009 to March 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability was rated as 30 percent disabling. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 20, 2012, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic esophageal cancer, which caused his death, was related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 1, 2001 for adding his spouse as a dependent due to lack of timely submission of necessary documentation.

The appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC fund is denied as she does not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to her spouse having died before the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and an attempt to obtain updated private treatment records. The issue of TDIU is also part of the current appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and additional evidentiary review. The Veteran's claims of service connection for muscle myopathy, earlier effective date for posttraumatic stress disorder, initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, and total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's postoperative duodenal ulcer with GERD and chronic pancreatitis has been manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, pyrosis, regurgitation, anemia at times, and weight loss at different times but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected left great toe bunion with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is manifested by occasional discomfort and pain upon prolonged walking or standing, warranting a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective September 24, 1993. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied in October 2010 but remanded by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) to consider whether his disability warranted an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral otitis media, finding that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, claimed as degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examiner concluded that the current condition is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a maximum oxygen consumption test and consideration of staged ratings.