Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has granted an additional 10 percent rating for ulcerative colitis, status post colectomy, bringing the total rating to 60 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current allergic rhino-conjunctivitis is due to eye symptomatology noted during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability and lower extremity numbness and weakness are related to his service in Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a delay in diagnosis of his sarcoma, which contributed to his untimely demise. The cause of death is therefore service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's spouse seeks VMLI coverage for the property, but the Veteran was not an obligee under the mortgage. The VA denied the claim as the Veteran died before it could be processed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these additional actions.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendonitis is manifested by limitation of motion that does not more nearly approximate marked than moderate. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's personnel records are needed to make a determination on his claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33, and has ordered these records to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity. The claim for service connection for Raynaud's syndrome remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left eye disability that is causally related to his in-service injury, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's chronic nasal septal deviation is already rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6502, and there are no exceptional circumstances warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he did not apply within the two-year period after his service connection was granted, and there is no evidence of incompetence during that time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current nature and severity of his service-connected left elbow cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income is a bar to the receipt of nonservice-connected pension benefits with special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of verification of his spouse's business income.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ring finger lump and denied service connection for chest pain. The Veteran's right ring finger lump is found to have its onset in service, while there is no evidence of a current disability manifested by chest pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment of $9,410.00 is being remanded to allow the VA Regional Office (RO) to consider the validity of the debt and whether a waiver should be granted based on 'equity and good conscience'.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for his right hand fracture and service connection for a right hand disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board finds that the overpayment of $11,073.00 for compensation paid to the Veteran for his former spouse was properly created due to a failure to notify VA of his divorce and remarriage in a timely manner. The Veteran's waiver request is granted as there is no indication of fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith on his part.