Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran previously requested a hearing, but changed representation and now requests a personal hearing instead.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for right hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, and spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine were denied. The RO utilized Diagnostic Codes based on limitation of motion but did not find sufficient evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's liver disorder is not related to his military service, presumed herbicide exposure, or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's compression fracture of T9-T10 was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it preexisted service and did not worsen during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right elbow epicondylitis is directly related to his service-connected left shoulder disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's SLE and secondary nephritis are service connected. The claim for a chronic skin disorder is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dystonia is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hammertoe disabilities of the right and left feet have been rated as noncompensable since October 26, 1998. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for either foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including scheduling a Video Conference hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and whether any current pulmonary disability is related to such exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for inclusion body myositis, but the appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service records show he had a fever of unknown origin during service, but no chronic symptoms or diagnosis of a fever disorder were found. The Board finds the Veteran does not have a current disability and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran died while 'properly hospitalized' by VA, and thus the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's oral cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic symptoms of oral cancer during service, and there is no continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left chest muscle damage has been rated as noncompensably disabling, but the combined rating for multiple service-connected disabilities is now at a compensable level due to the grant of service connection.

The appellant is not eligible for DEA benefits prior to his 18th birthday due to not meeting the eligibility requirements, including having not completed compulsory education under state law and not pursuing courses required or used for entrance to an institution of higher education.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a revised delimiting date of June [redacted], 2019 for receipt of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.