Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service and therefore is not eligible for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and REAP.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected left leg disability. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's mesothelioma, a current disability related to his in-service asbestos exposure, was found to be a contributory cause of his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ulcerative colitis was denied as the claim was not received within one year of separation from service or until May 28, 2004.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for myofascial pain syndrome of the left upper extremity was denied. The Board found that he withdrew his appeal seeking an increased rating prior to October 26, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder. The Veteran's MOS as a cannoneer (artilleryman) is consistent with his claim, and current medical reports substantiate his ocular complaints. Therefore, the claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is granted.

The appellant has withdrawn the appeal for entitlement to death pension benefits, and as such, the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pilonidal fistula cyst was incurred in and caused by his military service, granting service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's application for DIC because her spouse did not have qualifying service, rendering him ineligible for these VA benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for insomnia, claiming it as erratic sleep disorder. The Board dismisses this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for paralysis of the ulnar nerve has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's broken right hand was not a reasonably foreseeable consequence of VA treatment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his broken right hand.

The Veteran's vision impairment, diagnosed as bilateral cataracts, is not service-connected and is not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot degenerative joint disease with a calcaneal spur did not manifest in service and is not related to any event or incident of his active service from 1968 to 1971, including his documented in-service right foot / right ankle sprain. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disorder during the appeal period or within close proximity thereto, that is separate and distinct from the talonavicular joint with a calcaneal spur disability.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is not recurrent and requires neither reduction nor support by truss or belt, thus the criteria for a compensable disability rating are not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a lung disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new issue raised by the Veteran's representative regarding secondary service connection for disability of the feet. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and a 30 percent rating for PTSD. The issue of service connection for pancreatitis due to herbicide exposure or secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's gynecomastia was not caused by VA negligence or fault, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.