Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including skin tags, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic vaginal infections and condyloma acuminatum have not resulted in any impairment that would warrant a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lung disorder is not related to his military service, specifically his pneumonia during basic training. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent erythema multiforme residuals are evaluated at a 30 percent rating, and the evidence does not support an increase to a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's fungal rash of the feet, torso, and groin is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The Board denied claims for increased evaluations for prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's lung cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound with metallic seam in the soft tissues of the posterior aspect of his left neck are rated at 10 percent, effective March 15, 1999. For the period since then, he is also entitled to a compensable rating for his residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the reduction in death pension benefits effective January 1, 2005 was proper due to a recalculation of unreimbursed medical expenses and denial of burial insurance premiums as deductible expenses.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his cancers are related to service, including Agent Orange exposure and/or ionizing radiation. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her TMJ. The RO must also obtain all outstanding treatment records from private dentists and other sources.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, including left bundle branch block. The evidence now shows that this condition may have had its onset in service and is therefore granted as direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gallstones and also found that his TDIU claim is not properly before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's avascular necrosis and arthritis of his hips are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, specifically due to altered gait caused by chronic pain from his knees.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his service-connected pilonidal cyst, post-operative. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary medical opinions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before the Board could make a decision.

The appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits as she did not become permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18 years.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory disability to his service, including exposure to asbestos and chemicals. The Veteran's statements regarding causation are not considered competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left maxilla/zygoma fracture have been rated at 10 percent since the disability was initially granted in February 1997. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, as they are characterized as moderate pain and tenderness without severe displacement.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for post-surgical syndrome of the feet, bilaterally was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.