Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current knee disability is related to in-service findings. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each since October 12, 2004. The VA has granted increased ratings for the service-connected left and right hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that currently diagnosed hidradenitis is not related to service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection for hidradenitis of the groin is denied.

The Veteran's lower left extremity impairment is due to his service-connected radiculopathy, and there is no current diagnosis of a neurologic disability other than radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition as secondary to post-operative residuals, epigastric/umbilical hernia repair is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for her herniated nucleus pulposus, status post discectomy L5-S1 was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints and residuals of a back injury, finding no current diagnosis of either condition. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disability and service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his fracture of maxilla, left zygomatic arch prior to December 4, 2009 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroglossal duct cyst and vocal cord hyperkeratosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim and granted it on de novo review, finding that his discharge was not dishonorable and is not a bar to VA benefits (other than medical treatment).

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of throat cancer and whether it is related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for BPH, impotence, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was improper due to new evidence provided by the Veteran's private physician indicating that his conditions are more likely than not caused by his left varicocele disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee fusion residuals and accompanying degenerative joint disease are not found to have caused or aggravated his current vascular disorder in the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for prurigo nodularis and right testicular varicocele, claimed as groin injury, were denied. The appeal for TDIU was not addressed.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund as he is not an eligible person under the law, despite his son status.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disability and granted it. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and right ear disabilities are also addressed.

The Veteran is entitled to payment for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 7, 2010, at Memorial Hospital due to emergency treatment of abdominal pain and diverticulitis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for basal cell carcinoma, which she claims was related to her military service. The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the condition to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for restoration of nonservice-connected improved death pension benefits, finding that her annualized countable income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's estate is denied accrued benefits as there were no pending claims at the time of his death and he was not entitled to any benefits under an existing rating or decision.