Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, including left knee pain, peroneal neuropathy, fracture and scarring, of a gunshot wound to the left tibia was denied. The Veteran's HIV disability was granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective March 6, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disorder did not manifest in service, within one year of his last date of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange), or for many years thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to the lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin condition of the legs is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current left foot conditions are not related to her in-service injury, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran is seeking to have a previous denial of service connection for a chest condition and asthma, claimed as secondary to the service-connected granulomatous disease, reviewed due to potential CUE. The case has been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic right and left foot disorders, including hallux exostectomy residuals and second and third metatarsal osteotomy residuals, are related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his TDIU claim, including review of recent treatment records from the West Haven VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the issue of apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits on behalf of Juan Montgomery due to a lack of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's right little finger disability, which resulted from a fracture sustained during service, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating based on the functional impairment caused by pain and limited motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg disability or right hand disability that is related to active service.,VA examinations did not find any evidence of a right leg or right hand disability in service and no nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's former spouse, R.S., is recognized as a dependent spouse for VA monetary benefits for the period from April 1, 2006, to April 1, 2007.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by significant painful limitation of motion without ankylosis or fibrous union, is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. A separate 40 percent evaluation for right rotator cuff and bicep tears has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from a fractured left heel is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing. The claim of entitlement to TDIU will be further evaluated after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his mood disorder. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's right eye disability, consisting of episcleritis and pterygium, resulted in a compensable rating (10%) due to visual impairment. The condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on incapacitating episodes or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional opinions on whether the Veteran's urinary disorder and right elbow fracture are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for reimbursement of treatment for severe back pain and difficulty walking on July 13, 2011, as a result of her medical condition being emergent and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's otitis externa was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 2, 2004 and noncompensably disabling thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his skin condition.