Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left base of the tongue, including as a result of exposure to herbicides, is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected actinic cheilitis of the lower lip, effective February 16, 2007.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent evaluations for arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that the veteran's symptoms are best described by a rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to service-connected Non Hodgkin's lymphoma resulting in loss of use of both lower extremities and one upper extremity. Financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment is also granted.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition and residuals of malaria, including loss of the senses of smell and taste. The veteran does not have current disabilities related to his time in active duty service.

The appellant requested a hearing at the Board's offices in Washington, DC. The case is being remanded to schedule the appellant for a hearing before a member of the Board sitting at the RO.

The veteran's application for VA education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill was denied because her service obligation did not meet the requirements of Chapter 30, Title 38 United States Code.

The Board determined that the appellant could not be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits due to a lack of valid marriage under Arizona state law, despite her claim and supporting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further development, including obtaining STRs and notifying the veteran of his rights regarding the claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by bilateral upper extremity numbness due to disease or injury incurred in service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the veteran's neck disability, as the previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board finds that the proper procedures for a rating reduction were followed and there is no evidence of local recurrence, metastasis, or renal dysfunction related to this disorder. The veteran's service-connected radical prostatectomy secondary to prostate carcinoma is currently manifested by urinary frequency but does not require the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than four times per day.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound with fracture of the left ileum, including Muscle Group XVII, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb effective July 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current residuals of spinal meningitis, and therefore cannot establish service connection for arthritis as a secondary condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hearing loss disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his character of discharge eligibility for VA benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's service was not qualifying service, and therefore the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current neck, back, or leg conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT), finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.