Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The Board found no link between the current condition and any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish that his current condition is related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the left hip disability and denied the claim, as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a relationship between the current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for polycythemia vera, a form of blood cancer, which he claims was caused by radiation exposure during active service. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional development including verification of the Veteran's duty station and any verified radiation exposure.

The Veteran's colitis has been rated at 30 percent since May 4, 2010. The Board finds that the symptoms most nearly approximate moderately severe ulcerative colitis with frequent exacerbations.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 with fusion was productive of limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less before July 2, 2010, warranting a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. D. Stroh and ensuring all relevant evidence is associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records. The issue of VA home loan benefits, including whether new and material evidence supports reopening the determination regarding the Appellant's character of discharge, remains pending.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred for treatment at Memorial Hospital from February 22, 2011 to February 27, 2011. However, the decision is pending on whether VA can provide such reimbursement for medical expenses incurred from February 28, 2011 to March 9, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during private hospitalization in January 2013 is being remanded due to the AOJ not acknowledging his notice of disagreement. The case must be handled expeditiously.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current ulnar disability is caused by or chronically worsened by his service-connected scar disability. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's syncope is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for syncope.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of his son, WAC.

The Board finds that the Veteran's in-service right knee injury caused Buerger's Disease, which was related to coronary artery disease and his cause of death. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for ankylosing spondylitis, finding that the Veteran's PTSD could have contributed to or aggravated his auto-immune disease. The issue of service connection for Crohn's disease is remanded as additional medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination of his feet to determine the severity of his gouty arthritis.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits due to a lack of valid marriage under Arkansas law.

The Board finds that the Veteran's gastric cancer, which caused his death in November 2006, is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The weight of evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether this exposure contributed to the development of the Veteran's gastric cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current perforated left ear tympanic membrane or residuals related to such condition. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA ophthalmology resident concluded that the Veteran's loss of vision did not worsen as a result of his fall from a wheelchair, and therefore it was less likely than not caused by VA care or treatment.