Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service medical and personnel records and any decisions from the Board for Correction of Naval Records regarding an upgrade of the Appellant's discharge.

The Veteran's VRAP benefits were denied because he did not meet the full-time enrollment requirement for the period of September 23, 2013 to December 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for stroke residuals, finding that the July 2010 stroke and subsequent residual symptoms are etiologically related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left lower extremity disorder manifested by swelling and numbness. The Veteran's statements regarding the degree of impairment caused by her foot conditions were contradicted by other medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his left Achilles tendonitis, as the previous examination did not comply with the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.59.

The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized by subluxation and weakness, has been granted service connection. However, an initial compensable rating is denied prior to June 2, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the groin is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of laryngeal cancer resulted in symptoms approximating a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV-1) of less than 40 percent of the expected value before September 17, 2015. The Board granted a 100% rating for these residuals throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 10%, and his posttraumatic concussion syndrome with a history of skull fracture has been granted a 30% rating prior to May 5, 2011. However, the appeal for ratings after that date remains pending.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine whether the Veteran's right eye disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated during active duty. The left knee rating claim will also be remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his duodenal ulcer and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran has a misaligned sternum as an additional disability due to VA surgery performed in May 2000, but it was not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a stomach disorder, claimed as abdominal pain and ulcers, to include as secondary to her service-connected major depression. The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the February 2015 examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected hiatal hernia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded for further adjudication of the appellant's eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits as the 'helpless child' of the Veteran due to current incarceration status.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a July 2016 statement requesting the withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that recovery of overpayment debts for disability compensation due to the Veteran's incarceration and his spouse's death is appropriate, considering the circumstances and hardship faced by the Veteran and his family.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current marriage to his spouse is valid for VA purposes, and he is entitled to additional VA compensation benefits on behalf of his spouse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at his local RO for all issues listed.

The appellant withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.