Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing at his current address in Pennsylvania.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA mental disorders examination and reviewing the appellant's service records. The appellant is also required to provide information about any private treatment he received.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including actinic keratoses and Bowen's disease/carcinoma insitu, are being remanded for further development as the claim involves a presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board will seek additional evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diverticulitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial disability rating of more than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory problems, fatigue, and gout or joint pain are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a deviated septum during service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a deviated septum is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left great toe. The Veteran needs to provide information about any outstanding private treatment records and undergo a VA examination to assess the severity of his left great toe disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2013 for the grant of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC. The earliest date that VA received a communication from the appellant indicating intent to apply was May 31, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the acquisition of relevant medical records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's application for Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance was not timely filed, as it was received more than one year after the notification letter regarding waiver of premiums. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely application and therefore is not eligible for this benefit.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disorder, diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis, was not incurred or aggravated during his period of service. The evidence did not establish a link between his in-service exposure to chemicals and environmental hazards and his current condition.

The Board found that an apportionment of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits on behalf of his minor child, A.L.P., was appropriate due to financial hardship and awarded $242 per month until A.L.P. turned 18.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added, and a videoconference hearing is scheduled for the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome is due to his military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated as 0 percent disabling, and the right wrist ganglion cyst remains at a 10 percent rating. Both conditions are currently denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer and upper extremity sensory disabilities, including as due to herbicide exposure or service-connected conditions, has been denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of colon cancer or any diagnosed upper extremity sensory disability.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to February 18, 2015 is being remanded due to the need to determine the source of his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left index finger disability warrants a rating of no more than 10 percent, effective October 1, 1979. The issues of service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and skin condition are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she and the Veteran were divorced at the time of his death, thus preventing her from being recognized as his surviving spouse for VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing at the RO in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.