Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's benign neurofibroma of the head is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or Agent Orange exposure. The claim for PTSD was previously adjudicated and remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's disabilities of the hips and pelvis are not causally or etiologically related to service, are not presumed to have occurred during service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent respiratory infections has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and thus grants service connection for recurrent upper respiratory infections.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis has been rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2011, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is related to any incident in service.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA service-connected compensation benefits for a dependent spouse in the amount of $7275.00 was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to notify VA of his divorce in a timely manner, and thus denied the waiver request.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of gall bladder removal surgery, including dumping syndrome, were found to be manifested by severe symptoms prior to June 26, 2013. After June 26, 2013, the disability was found to be manifested by moderate symptoms.

The Veteran has abandoned her appeal for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with associated ulcers.

For the rating period from September 9, 2004 to March 28, 2007, pulmonary fibrosis residuals of a motor vehicle accident did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis is currently being considered for service connection, with a focus on whether it was aggravated by his active duty service from June 2004 to December 2005. The Board has decided that further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's right clavicle disability is characterized by motion of the arm limited to midway between the side and shoulder level with pain and flare-ups. The Board finds that a uniform 30 percent disability rating is warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following any form of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's right hip dysplasia, which was surgically stabilized in 1989 with a pin and plate, is currently manifested by pain, flare-ups, an antalgic gait, and shortening of the right leg. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for status post bilateral cataract surgery was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective July 6, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.

The Veteran's death was caused by interstitial lung disease, which the appellant contends was due to exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The VA has not obtained all relevant medical records and needs to do so before deciding the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the local RO (Travel Board) rather than a hearing before the Board in Washington, D.C. as requested by the appellant.

The Veteran's current left hip disability is found to be etiologically related to a fall incurred during ACDUTRA, and service connection for post-traumatic arthritis of the left hip is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination in order to determine whether his current bilateral hip disability is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Board videoconference hearing.