Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The cause of the Veteran's death (metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus) is not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of back strain and remanded the issue for further development. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to address the etiology of any low back disorder present, and all outstanding medical records should be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left leg injury due to the need for an appropriate VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his in-service injury. The Veteran reported sustaining an injury to his lower left leg while serving in Vietnam, but there are no medical records indicating any such injury or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant declining a video conference hearing and requesting an in-person Travel Board hearing instead.

The Board has determined that the appellant's case must be remanded for further action due to unclear actions regarding a discharge upgrade request. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation benefits for his dependent grandchildren, N.N. and C.N., is denied as they are not legally adopted or considered dependents under VA regulations.

The Veteran seeks an increased initial rating for his service-connected cognitive disorder. The case is REMANDED to the RO due to the need for additional VA examination reports and outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability and a TDIU. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability, including its impact on employment and daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right calf and thigh are rated at 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively, with no higher ratings due to the nature of the disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right eye optic neuritis is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's OCD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as her symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability evaluation for her menorrhagia from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective as of November 1, 2007, was proper based on improvement in her condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a joint disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists that had its clinical onset during or is related to his active military service. The opinion provided by the VA orthopedist supports this finding.

The Veteran's Bell's palsy and associated right eye ptosis are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. A separate 30 percent rating is assigned for his right eye ptosis.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected myasthenia gravis and a separate initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected diplopia of the right eye associated with myasthenia gravis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected left ring finger fracture and left middle finger fracture.,There is no evidence of any pending formal or informal claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 30, 2005.

The Veteran's left ear disability, characterized as chronic otomastoiditis with a perforated tympanic membrane and pain, is currently rated at 10 percent. The maximum evaluation allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes has been granted.

The Veteran's continuous suffering from bilateral over-use syndrome since service is considered, and the Board finds that this condition was incurred in active service.