Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's eye disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's chronic liver disease with cirrhosis of the liver is now rated at 100% effective April 28, 2010. The claim for service connection for gastroenteritis has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for chronic disorders of the legs and back, to include muscle injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, including black lung disease, is related to his military service and granted accrued benefits for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and thus not warranting a presumption of exposure under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow injury is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for residuals of an injury to the left elbow. However, there is no evidence linking a disorder characterized by chronic fatigue to his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diplopia with exotropia was denied. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right, left arm or right hand disability due to disease or injury which was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and an increased rating for his thoracic spine disability, finding no diagnosed residuals from the in-service head injury and that the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a pilonidal cyst and thus denied his claims for service connection on direct basis and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess any current right thumb disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran's reports of nail falling off about once per year since service are also to be considered.

The Board denied a compensable initial evaluation for recurrent UTIs due to the lack of relevant evidence in the claims file at the time of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there is no evidence of recurrence or symptoms related to the condition.

The Board has vacated the remand portion of its July 17, 2012 decision that addressed service connection for dysthymia due to an error in finding no SOC had been issued. The case is now remanded for further development and re-adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to bilateral surgical fasciotomies is pending. The effective date claim for service connection of degenerative joint disease, bilateral ankles, prior to August 21, 2006, has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Tampa VA Medical Center must ensure all pertinent records have been associated with the claims file, including private medical records and evidence referred to by the Veteran. The VAMC should also obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition was stable enough for transfer to a VA facility on January 23, 2004.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for angioneurotic edema, but no more, based on the frequency and duration of attacks.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for hammer toes can be decided.

The Veteran's death occurred prior to the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which established a one-time payment fund for veterans who served in the Philippines during World War II. The appellant cannot collect benefits as a payee surviving spouse because the Veteran was deceased at the time the Act was enacted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right little finger disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of joint involvement or significant functional impairment.