Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right leg disability was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had schizoaffective and delusional disorders that began in or were precipitated by service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for celiac disease, including as secondary to his service-connected GERD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's chronic gastrointestinal disability, specifically postgastrectomy syndrome, was not manifested by symptoms that approximated moderately severe disability with demonstrable anemia and weight loss or recurring incapacitating episodes averaging 10 days or more in duration at least four or more times a year. Mild circulatory problems after meals with diarrhea during this period is not shown, and there is no confirmed diagnosis of alkaline gastritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a response to the appellant's interrogatories and a copy of the reviewing VA physician's curriculum vitae. The appeal will be considered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2004. The rating is based on limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's application for Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (SRH) was not received within one year of the notification letter, and therefore he is not eligible for this benefit.

The Veteran's service does not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for VA pension benefits due to her lack of active military, naval, or air service. Therefore, her claim must be denied as a matter of law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 11, 2011 for the grant of service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The evidence did not show any prior claims or informal claims for this condition before that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, hypertension, right knee arthritis, and right shoulder bursitis. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ear pain is due to his in-service otitis, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver disorder and skin condition are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claim for SMC.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a service connection for a neurologic bladder disorder, as the Veteran's period of active service does not show any such condition and no medical opinion supports a link between his current condition and his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's residuals of a postoperative pilonidal cyst resulted in a painful and unstable scar, warranting a 20 percent disability rating throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's vellus hair cysts result in small cysts covering, during outbreaks, 15 percent or less of the Veteran's entire body and only require rare systemic treatment. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoporosis was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to asbestos. The evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between the current condition and any in-service event.

The Board finds that a partial waiver of the overpayment is warranted, as it would not be unfair or unjust to recover $847.50 from the Veteran's overpayment debt.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of basic information necessary to decide the claim. The AOJ must obtain additional documentation, readjudicate the issue, and provide a supplemental statement of the case if denied.