Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is not service-connected. The claim for cause of death and DEA eligibility was denied as the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorder, specifically basal cell carcinoma, is not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any skin condition was present during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate are currently evaluated at a 40 percent rating, and the Board finds that this is the highest schedular evaluation available. The evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Board is remanding the claim to determine if a service-connected disability, specifically the Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease, caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral leg disability is not related to his in-service exposure to cold weather, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show moderate limitation of motion or ankylosis of any fingers, which are required for a compensable rating under DC 5309.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diplopia, diagnosed as bilateral superior oblique palsy. The Veteran's history is compelling to show a nexus between his current condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot and skin disorders are not related to her military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability with an onset during or immediately following service. The Veteran's STRs show various diagnoses in service but do not indicate any current conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for her left hand ganglion cyst were granted, with the first evaluation of 10 percent effective August 1, 2005 and increased to 20 percent effective December 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and updated medical records, as his symptoms have worsened since his last examination in 2008.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue and pharynx are presumed to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides. However, due to lack of sufficient competent medical evidence linking these cancers to Agent Orange exposure, a VA examination is needed to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's spouse is seeking an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits for her prior to July [redacted], 2010. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional information and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his latest period of active duty and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his bilateral astigmatism was aggravated by an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5284 for post-operative residuals of hallux valgus deformity and hammertoe deformity. The other issues remain at 10 percent.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, which was alcoholic liver disease and gastrointestinal bleeding, was not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from military service for the period from April 30, 1965, to February 4, 1971, is a bar to entitlement to VA benefits due to his unauthorized absence of more than 180 continuous days.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his current disability status and whether he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and his service-connected manic depressive illness is not considered to have contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected postoperative right testicle residuals and whether any neurological manifestations are separate from the genitourinary symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of any current cervical spine disability.