Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for diverticulitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip strain was service-connected as of October 3, 2007 and granted an initial rating of 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his pulmonary fibrosis and review of his claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a nervous condition, right foot blisters, left foot blisters, and hair loss. However, the Veteran's claims are still denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection cannot be granted because the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's pension benefits were withheld during periods of incarceration due to felony warrants, and the debt was not timely waived.

The Board has determined that the appellant is already receiving the maximum rate of special monthly DIC based on her need for aid and attendance, so she cannot be granted a higher rate.

The Board denied service connection for left eye sebaceous adenocarcinoma, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant's request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is rated at 30 percent, and his gastric reflux is separately rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the joints, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure outside of Vietnam. The Veteran's cause of death is listed as cardio-respiratory arrest, with antecedent causes of acute pulmonary edema and cardiac dysrhythmia.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is REMANDED to obtain information regarding potential exposure to chemicals during military service in Alaska and to determine if the natural cause of death was related to such service.

The Veteran's spouse, F. S., is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits from July 1, 2012 to the present due to her failure to enroll in Medicare Part B.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's maxilla bone loss warrants a 20 percent rating throughout the initial rating period, which satisfies his appeal in full.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's skin disorder of the head is related to his service and any conceded herbicide exposure. The claim will be further reviewed after this development.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 8, 2009. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as chronic right hip strain and arthritis of the right hip, was caused by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee, status post total knee replacement. As such, secondary service connection is granted.

The Board previously denied the claim, but a court decision requires further development and reconsideration of the case due to insufficient verification of service.