Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating of 30 percent for ulcerative colitis, claimed as Crohn's Disease was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need to reconcile them with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder, including visual field changes of the right eye, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to any in-service injury or exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right little finger disability and a right arm disability were denied as the evidence did not show an in-service injury or aggravation, nor was there any current disability found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hand disability related to service or service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability, including a total hip replacement, was not productive of moderately severe residuals as defined by VA regulations. The initial rating of 30% is maintained.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cataracts are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the appellant has no legal entitlement to chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) education benefits in excess of 15 months and 23 days, as her combined use of chapter 34 and chapter 30 programs exceeds the statutory limit.

The Board has now granted service connection for a chronic disability manifested by lower gastrointestinal/rectal bleeding. The issues of entitlement to service connection for residuals of rectal cancer and residuals of renal cancer with left nephrectomy are being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's subjective reports of fatigue are not attributable to a chronic undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for fatigue.

The Veteran's right eye disorders, including a cataract, sensory exotropia, nystagmus, posterior vitreous detachment, and strabismus, are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the appeal to the RO for additional action due to information regarding the Appellant's eligibility and expenses related to her last sickness and burial.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $202.44 was properly created and grants a waiver for recovery of this amount.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's beta Thalassemia with anemia, Sjögren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disorder are all secondary to her service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining VA records from December 2008 to March 2009 and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine if he currently has pancreatitis or its residuals, and whether it is related to his service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim of service connection for rectus abdominal pain, filed prior to her retirement from active duty in November 2003, encompassed a claim for endometriosis. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection for endometriosis is January 24, 2004.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a hernia and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a hernia and stroke residuals, to include right-sided paralysis and speech impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether any service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The claims file will be forwarded to a VA physician for review.