Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for educational assistance benefits, finding that he did not submit a timely application and therefore was not entitled to payment prior to April 6, 2008.

The Veteran's left ring finger condition, manifested by degenerative joint disease and pain, is rated at a 10 percent disability level.

The Board denied the Veteran's ex-wife's request for apportionment of his VA benefits due to the Veteran not residing with her and failing to discharge responsibility for support.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces during World War II.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, claimed as arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right elbow injury with degenerative changes was denied as the evidence did not show that his flexion or extension was limited to the degree required for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of a hysterectomy and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence, finding that her hysterectomy was not due to disease or injury incurred during active military service and was not due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of malaria was denied as there is no evidence of active or inactive malaria, and the Board finds that his symptoms are more likely related to other conditions such as hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot drop is related to his service-connected low back disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cataracts and consideration of all available evidence in connection with the increased rating claims for peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's residuals of balloon dilations of the esophagus are manifested by chest pain and acid reflux, without dysphagia or regurgitation. The Board finds a 10 percent rating is warranted for these symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's voiding dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a urological examination and consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral arm disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. An organic disease of the nervous system was also not manifested within the first post-service year, and pertinent disability is not etiologically related to the service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic allergic conjunctivitis was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that his amblyopia, which is a congenital defect, did not have its onset in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular evaluation due to the severity of his service-connected residuals of right orchiopexy with epididymitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from DN's nursing facility. The Veteran's daughter is seeking recognition of her sister as a helpless child.

The Veteran's left elbow disability was initially rated at 20 percent prior to December 10, 2009 and from April 1, 2010. The appeal is granted as the Veteran's condition warrants a separate rating of 10 percent for laxity with recurrent dislocations and another 10 percent for arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity neurological impairments have been rated at 20 percent each since May 24, 2012.