Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent initial rating for jungle rot from October 30, 2007 to September 19, 2011. From September 20, 2011 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU prior to February 20, 2002 due to his service-connected disabilities as he did not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU and there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities with resulting amputations, to include on a secondary basis, is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment, and the proximate cause of his death was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hammertoes and left bunion disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting spondylolisthesis and spina bifida occulta did not result in a superimposed disease or injury during service, nor was any other low back disorder caused or aggravated by military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's jaw disability, concluding that there is not sufficient credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right hip disorder and the Veteran's claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Hodgkin's disease caused his death due to anemia and subsequent motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Crohn's disease, with an ano fissure, can be reasonably disassociated from his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether VA medical treatment contributed to his demise. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis, dental condition, and stuttering were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint pain is a result of his service-connected ulcerative colitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing acuity in the right ear and Level III hearing acuity in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing have not been met for any period.

The appellant is entitled to accrued benefits in the amount of $379.95 for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with her mother's last illness, which included medical and personal hygiene items.

The Board found that the Veteran's current stomach disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left forearm injury resulted in muscle injuries to Muscle Group V and VII, which are rated separately at a 10% level.

The Veteran's perforated colon was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault. The Board finds that the perforation was a foreseeable risk and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.