Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for a hiatal hernia, to include as secondary to major depressive disorder can be decided.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for accrued benefits, finding that he did not meet eligibility criteria and did not provide evidence of last expenses paid.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars VA benefits. There are no compelling circumstances to warrant extended periods of unauthorized absence.

The Veteran's annual income, after accounting for unreimbursed medical expenses and Social Security benefits, exceeded the maximum pension rate set by law. Therefore, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected menstrual irregularities with pelvic adhesions and infertility were rated at 30 percent from the date of her increased rating claim, November 19, 2008, through November 26, 2012. From February 26, 2012, she was granted a 30 percent disability rating for total hysterectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his blood disorder is a congenital defect and not due to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected closed head injury residuals, post concussion syndrome, have been manifested by headaches and subjective complaints of mild impairment of memory. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating of 10 percent is warranted for the Veteran's hallux valgus of the right big toe throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability is not related to his service, including an incident where brake fluid was sprayed into his eyes during active duty. The evidence did not support a finding of any etiological relationship between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's left foot condition, specifically left first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis, is manifested by symptoms consistent with mild to moderate impairment. For the entire appeal period prior to September 30, 2014, a 10 percent rating was granted.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA gastroenterologist regarding whether the Veteran's hernia repair surgery was related to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current stomach disorder, including pancreatitis, hernia, and/or GERD, is not related to his service. There is no probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current vision disorder was not present during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or event. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a vision disorder has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion in the VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracic spine disability is now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral nasal pannus with associated corneal haze has not been manifested by visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features, or; by four or more characteristics of disfigurement. As such, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse and heart murmur resulted in a workload of 3 METs or less that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope beginning September 15, 2015. A 100% rating is granted for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as there is no legal basis for the claim due to the termination of VA compensation benefits based on fugitive felon status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart murmur, while noted in service, does not constitute a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board granted an effective date of April 11, 2012 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on new and material evidence.