Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes, finding that there was no evidence of trauma or disease resulting in loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible. The Veteran did not have any compensable dental disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disability was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the right hand did not have onset during service, was not caused by his active service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. The claim for this condition must be denied.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence showing that the Veteran's bilateral arthritis of the feet had its onset during service or was caused by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for this condition also must be denied.

The Veteran's gout was not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he elected not to receive Chapter 30 educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, and there is no evidence of withdrawal of such election.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board found that varicose veins of the left leg were not incurred in service and are not related to any incident or condition during active duty. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 10% rating assigned for left leg stress fractures since November 22, 2013 and right leg stress fractures since May 20, 2014. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of pityrious rosea was denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine if the Veteran had service in Vietnam and whether he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand. The appellant must provide evidence of TDY service in Vietnam and combat pay records.

The Veteran's hypogammaglobulinemia resulted in infections recurring at least once every six weeks prior to January 9, 2007. The Board granted a 100% disability rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected SFW to the left thigh is currently rated at 20 percent, and his condition has worsened such that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted as of November 5, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment due to administrative error by VA, finding that the debt was validly created and not against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's lung disability, claimed as due to smoking, Agent Orange exposure, or other noxious fumes in service, is being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is being remanded for further examination and development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current squamous cell carcinoma. The examiner will also need to determine if the cancer constitutes a respiratory cancer and whether it is related to service, including as proximately due to or the result of Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the criteria for reconsidering a prior denial of service connection for residuals of head injury have been met, and therefore grants this claim.

The Board found that the appellant's claim of service connection for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) was received on June 10, 2010, and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, resulting in a denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is being reviewed with additional development.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling due to limited range of motion, but not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating. The service-connected hypertension was found not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected finger disabilities.