Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's post-operative left foot exostosis residuals since October 7, 2011. The initial rating prior to this date was not higher than 10 percent.

The Board has ordered further development due to the lack of recent medical records, including a 2012 physician appointment record. The Veteran's bladder disorder claim is being remanded for additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his remaining issues.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the appellant not receiving necessary correspondence and an examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell's palsy was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence confirming the Veteran has Bell's palsy or residuals of this disorder at any time since the filing of his claim.,For his lumbosacral strain, the claim was also denied as he did not meet the criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent from July 2, 2004 to November 30, 2008, or a rating higher than 20 percent since December 1, 2008.

The Veteran's left elbow muscle disability is rated at 30 percent, and he has separate ratings for his posttraumatic arthritis. The ankylosis of the left elbow as of March 27, 2012 warrants a separate rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's buttocks lesions, diagnosed as genital herpes, did not originate in service and are not otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, they are denied eligibility for compensation from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gait disorder and spinal arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease that would support the current disabilities. The Board found insufficient evidence to link either condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing. The claims of special monthly compensation and increased rating will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any currently diagnosed bilateral foot disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's period of active military service and whether it is due to or aggravated by his service-connected shin splints and residuals of a stress fracture of the right leg.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for defective visual acuity (hyperopia) has been reopened, and new evidence suggests a possible link to in-service duties. However, the specific conditions of meibomitis and dry eye syndrome are not definitively linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus bradycardia, with postoperative residuals of permanent pacemaker implantation, is not related to his military service and therefore does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a mood disorder with depressive features and TDIU were granted, but the effective dates are being adjusted to June 27, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a request for a video conference hearing. The effective date of the TDIU award remains unchanged at March 4, 2008.

The Board has determined that the appellant's military service from March 2004 to March 2008 was under 'other than honorable conditions' and he is therefore not entitled to receive VA benefits for that period of service. The case is REMANDED due to incomplete records.

The Veteran does not have gout of the left foot that is service-connected as it did not manifest during active service or within one year thereafter.