Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected periarthritis of the left hip and painful heels (periostitis) have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 20, 2003. The rating reflects the Veteran's painful motion and functional impairment due to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current gynecological disabilities, including thrombocytopenia and disability resulting in her hysterectomy. The Veteran's claims file must be provided to the examiner.

The Veteran's pension benefits were terminated effective June 27, 2005 due to his incarcerated beneficiary status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a right foot disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed deformed penis and shrinkage of the left testicle, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected prostate cancer and post-surgical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with metastases to the lymph nodes is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and therefore, the claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's right eye solar retinopathy is related to his exposure to sunlight glare off of the ocean while serving aboard Navy ships, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left foot nodule, which he claims is related to his service-connected Dupuytren's contractures of the hands. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have malaria, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical examinations and records, clarifying his receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed prostate disability and skin disability.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities resulting from a motorcycle accident are deemed to be the result of his own willful misconduct, specifically alcohol abuse. As such, he is not eligible for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran died in January 2007 from a glioblastoma brain tumor. The VA has not provided any evidence linking the cause of death to service or any presumptive exposure basis, and thus accrued benefits are denied.

The appellant's application for accrued benefits was denied as she did not file it within the one-year time limit after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for ITP remains pending and requires further development to determine her true platelet counts.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility to educational assistance under Chapter 30 of the Montgomery GI Bill was denied as he did not meet the initial mandatory eligibility requirements due to his service starting prior to June 30, 1985.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the positive tine test, and thus service connection for such cannot be granted.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore the appellant is not eligible for additional burial benefits beyond $300.