Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in a previous examination and the need for an expert opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ear pain, including its relationship to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action regarding his initial increased rating for gouty arthritis of the right foot involving the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current right hip disorder is related to his in-service injury. The issue remains on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's fault in creating the overpayment.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The appellant's claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 are being reviewed.

The Board found that a skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred during service or as a result of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hemi paresis, status post cerebrovascular accident with depressive reaction has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is now established for the Veteran's claimed disability.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 40 percent rating for his T8 compression fracture, effective from February 2001. The claim was previously reduced to a 10 percent rating in March 2003 due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed myeloproliferative disorder, including as secondary to in-service chemical exposure, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any incident of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left leg disorder and that his symptoms did not begin during or shortly after active service. The Board also determined that there is no evidence linking his current symptoms to any diagnosed disability, including his already service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the Appellant is not an eligible surviving spouse for DIC benefits due to a separation from the Veteran, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of smoking cessation, malaria, high cholesterol/triglycerides, defective vision (eye problems), infected spider bites, hand injury, and head injury.

The Board has determined that the appellant's report of unreimbursed medical expenses for calendar year 2007 was timely filed and should be used to determine her pension eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $17,661.53 is being remanded due to a scheduling error.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PCOS with dysmetabolic syndrome and hirsutism, which manifested during active service. The left second toe disability (claimed as Morton's neuroma) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's herpes zoster with herpes simplex has not affected at least 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, nor required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for a total duration of six weeks or more during the past 12-month period. Therefore, his current rating of 10% is denied.

The Veteran's right hip bursitis and dislocated bilateral condyles are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no further increase granted.

The Veteran's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund was denied because he did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or recognized guerrillas in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for actinic keratosis. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between squamous cell carcinoma and service, the issue is being remanded for further development.