Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, including as due to service-connected infectious hepatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right lower extremity SFW with retained foreign bodies, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke was denied as there is no current disability related to his in-service overexertion or heat stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic gastrointestinal disability and finds that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a more comprehensive examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, specifically addressing his ability to perform fine motor functions required for sedentary work.

The Veteran's right foot disability, resulting from a compound comminuted fracture of the sesamoid bone, has been rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2008. The condition is currently manifested by severe impairment and was found to be more than moderate but less than moderately severe.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination of the eyes to assess blindness and visual field contraction. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity disability, but denied them on the merits as new and material evidence was not provided to establish a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's hammertoes deformity of the right fifth toe is rated as 10 percent disabling, effective since July 1, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for hydrocephalus, status post ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim is remanded for additional development and consideration of a TDIU due to the service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's HIV with neuropathic symptoms were caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that secondary service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's service is not considered active duty for the purposes of non-service-connected pension benefits, as he did not serve during a period of war and there is no indication of any subsequent active duty or recall to active duty. Therefore, the claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of her acinic cell carcinoma residuals, including any associated conditions such as migraine headaches and a skin condition of the right ear. A TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum allowable rate for non-service-connected pension benefits, resulting in denial of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is likely due to his exposure to petroleum fuels and distillates during service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's death was attributed to liver and colon cancer, presumed to be caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The appeal is remanded for a VA medical opinion on the etiology of these cancers.

The Veteran's daughter, who was not a child at the time of her father's death and did not meet other eligibility criteria for accrued benefits, is denied entitlement to reimbursement for medical expenses incurred by her father.

The Board found that the appellant's net worth was sufficient to meet his maintenance needs for approximately 14 years, and thus denied his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, not related to service or any service-connected disability. The appellant's claims for DIC based on service connection were denied.