Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran is seeking service connection for missing teeth, an increased rating for residuals of jaw fracture, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain a dental examination and provide the necessary opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and a left leg disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board found that the retroactive termination of the Veteran's additional disability compensation benefits for a dependent spouse effective May 1, 2006 was proper.

The Veteran's esophageal disability, including Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer, is not service connected due to lack of current evidence and the absence of a link between his in-service herbicide exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for his left inguinal hernia and a TDIU based on this disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and additional medical opinions regarding his eye disorders. The issue of entitlement to an award of additional compensation benefits for dependent children will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the appellant may be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits eligibility purposes, based on their marriage and separation due to the Veteran's misconduct.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to failure to report for a scheduled Board videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) prior to May 27, 2014 and since that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of inter-incisal distance or lateral excursion less than the required thresholds for a higher rating under DC 9905.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the satisfaction of his claim for a disability rating higher than 30 percent for spontaneous pneumothorax as of November 28, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a reevaluation of her rehabilitation program by the counseling psychologist, as required by regulations. The case will be returned to the Board after this evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does suffer from an acquired psychiatric disorder, which has been sufficiently linked to his wartime experiences. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as 'other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder' is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective July 9, 2009. The Board has granted the requested outcome of a 100% disability rating for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for Alzheimer's disease, but the issue of whether it is related to service-connected epilepsy remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic pain syndrome was caused by VA's failure to timely diagnose and treat his atypical trigeminal neuralgia, leading to additional disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Paget's disease is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $108.87 in VA education benefits due to financial hardship.

The Veteran's prostatitis is currently rated at 60 percent, effective from August 7, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected prostatitis disability preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected Guillain-Barre syndrome affecting both lower extremities has been rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.