Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the failure to provide notice of a scheduled Board Videoconference hearing. The appellant and the Veteran will be given an opportunity for a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been rated at 50 percent since February 12, 2010. The disability is characterized by depression, anxiety, and intermittent suicidal and homicidal ideation, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of use of a creative organ (sexual dysfunction) and gastrointestinal disability secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective prior to April 27, 2010.

The Veteran's right hallux valgus deformity has been granted service connection and assigned an initial noncompensable rating, which was later increased to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's skull surgery residuals are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that there is no evidence of brain hernia or disfigurement. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral bunionectomy residuals was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently demonstrated left eye disability, as well as whether it is related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and found that new and material evidence has been received. However, it was determined that there is no credible evidence linking his current lung conditions to service or any in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining terminal hospital reports and a VA medical opinion regarding whether service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity was granted prior to October 13, 2010.,From October 13, 2010 to October 3, 2011, a 20 percent rating was assigned. Since October 4, 2011, a 40 percent rating has been granted for the right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease.,Service connection for this condition is established on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis and larynx cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking initial compensable ratings for Dupuytren's contracture of both his right and left hands. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's surgery for a subcutaneous mass in his right arm did not necessitate at least one month of convalescence or result in severe post-operative residuals, and the claim is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for musculoskeletal chest wall pain, to include costochondritis, and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is granted service connection for her diagnosed costochondritis as it is a continuation of the same diagnosis noted in service.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a diagnosed form or manifestation of spina bifida, and therefore denied his claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 and § 1815 based on his father's Vietnam-era service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel file and sending him a statement of the case (SOC) addressing his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for restrictive pneumonopathy due to recurrent pneumonia was denied as no earlier effective date is assignable.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training benefits was denied due to the VA counselor finding that nursing duties were contraindicated by his hip replacement surgery. The Board finds additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and possibly a VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on his range of motion.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link the current condition to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a breathing condition or skin condition during service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.