Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with hypertrophic gastritis was found to not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings prior to and beginning October 14, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current schizoaffective disorder is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative spinal condition is not related to his military service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying her exposure to herbicides in service. A neurological disorder claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoporosis with healed compression fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebrae is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 1, 2014.,Effective October 23, 2014, the Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected osteoporosis with healed compression fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebrae.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Gaucher's disease and whether it was aggravated by service or PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's UARS is not related to her service-connected PTSD or any other in-service injury, and therefore, she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of left epididymitis and hydrocelectomy have been granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for the period prior to February 17, 2015. For the period on and after February 17, 2015, he is assigned a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a dental disability.

The Board has determined that a rating of 30 percent for right foot posttraumatic arthritis with RSD is warranted, and a noncompensable rating for superficial peroneal nerve disability is also granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral cholesteatoma, which he contends was caused by in-service acoustic trauma. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed cholesteatoma.

The Veteran's compensation benefits are being apportioned on behalf of his minor children. The appeal is currently in a remanded status due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for an audit of all adjustments to his compensation benefits from 2006 to present, specifically any and all amounts recouped for fiscal year 2009 drill pay. The issue will be reconsidered based on this information.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as there were no periodic VA benefits due and unpaid to her mother at the time of her death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking a rating in excess of 0 percent for a right 3rd finger disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's shortness of breath symptoms are not causally related to his military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from his service in Iraq. The VA examiner concluded that the symptoms were more likely due to physical deconditioning and respiratory failure.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Peace River Regional Medical Center on October 25, 2013 is eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the nature of his condition and the circumstances surrounding the treatment.

The Veteran is entitled to nonservice-connected disability pension benefits and special monthly pension for aid and attendance purposes due to his age, income, and need for assistance with daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to lack of new and material evidence, and because his need for assistance is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to exclude dental expenses of $2,151 from his income for the period from December 1, 2013, through November 30, 2014, which will increase his pension benefits accordingly.