Other conditions Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a cerebrovascular disorder, to include a cerebrovascular accident with encephalomacia and left hemiparesis due to a left aneurysm. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 22, 2010.

The Veteran does not currently suffer from a recurrent inguinal hernia or any residuals related to his service-connected herniorrhaphy, and therefore is not entitled to an initial compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiopulmonary abnormality, claimed as an irregular heart rhythm, was denied because she has not been diagnosed with any actual disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, probable acute myocardial infarction due to arteriosclerosis, was not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as well as an effective date prior to April 4, 2006 for the grant of special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right hand and foot. The Veteran was not granted these benefits.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before deciding the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral leg disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and the appellant is not entitled to death benefits based on permanent incapacity prior to age 18.

The Veteran's service-connected focal colitis is currently rated at 0 percent (noncompensable), and the Board has determined that a higher initial disability rating of 10 percent, but no greater, is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the appellant's claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to service-connected burial benefits. This includes providing corrective VCAA notice, searching for VA treatment records related to a 1966 appendectomy surgery, and obtaining an opinion from a health care provider regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rectal cancer.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left hip with secondary fracture is currently rated at 30 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, finding no evidence of a positive association between his condition and herbicide exposure or excessive sunlight. The claim was not granted on a presumptive basis due to lack of evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of the September 2005 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 1, 2003 for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death as it was not timely filed.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has a current thoracic spine disability, its nature, and whether it is related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the left lower extremity remains in dispute.

The Veteran's surgery on August 4, 2007 did not result in severe postoperative residuals requiring a temporary total evaluation beyond November 1, 2007.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for vitiligo, which he claims first manifested during service. The case has been remanded to obtain a medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current vitiligo.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from May 1, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis of the entire spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death by metastatic gastric and pancreatic carcinoma is due to presumed Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam service, granting service connection for this cause of death. The surviving spouse also meets the eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.