Other conditions Board decisions

The VA Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an in-service chemical exposure, including a respiratory disorder. The VA examiner concluded that the current pulmonary emphysema is less likely related to the in-service ingestion of carbon tetrachloride and more likely due to long-term cigarette smoking.

The Board determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to his willful and persistent misconduct in serving the enemy, the Japanese. As a result, his character of discharge is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the mouth or teeth for dental treatment purposes, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma are granted service connection as they first manifested during active service due to sun exposure.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits is denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) due to having used up his entitlement in an apprentice program.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability is not related to his time in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prior to September 9, 2008 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From September 9, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran requested service connection for teeth injuries for outpatient treatment purposes, not compensation. The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no substantive appeal regarding the issue of reopening a claim for compensation.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diverticulitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Army CID and court proceedings related to a murder-for-hire plot.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracic scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right eye disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Veteran's current right eye symptoms are related to his in-service injury.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for service-connected residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, effective April 1, 2008.

The Veteran died in December 2004 and was buried the same month. The appellant's application for burial benefits was received by VA in August 2008, which is more than two years after the death of the Veteran. As a result, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture is granted, with a 10% rating effective from July 31, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a bilateral elbow injury or disease in service, and that her symptoms were not chronic in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral elbow disorder was denied.

The case is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the Muskogee, Oklahoma, VA RO.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for adenocarcinoma of the prostate is December 23, 2008, which is the date VA received the Veteran's original claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot disability was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis. The claims of service connection for right elbow and stress fractures of both legs remain pending due to the need for additional records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of status post excision of lipomas of the right thigh, right abdomen, left thigh, and right trunk is granted as these scars are considered direct service connection.