Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including a fracture with internal fixation and limitation of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not show any ankylosis or other compensable impairment under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a functional capacity evaluation. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service and post-service medical records, specifically those from Balboa Hospital (Navy Medical Center) in San Diego for August 1942 to February 1946, and Cann Memorial Medical Center for post-service treatment of ears. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cardiac disability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's alcohol and drug dependence is active or in remission, and whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's dental trauma of the two upper front teeth (#8 and #9) did not result in a compensable disability for which he could receive compensation. The Board found that there was no evidence to support his claim for service connection, as his condition does not meet the criteria for compensation under VA regulations. However, the Veteran may be eligible for dental treatment based on his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been granted. The Board has also ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was previously denied in January 1997. The appellant submitted various statements and medical records but did not provide any new or material evidence related to the issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right eye disability, including diplopia and monocular vision in the right eye, is not related to service or any incident during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition began in service or is otherwise etiologically linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of the left and right lower extremities have been rated at 60 percent each, effective June 19, 2009.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disability in the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development due to a need for an updated list of doctors and health care facilities that have treated the Veteran's MDS, as well as for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that his MDS had its clinical onset during active service or is etiologically related to his active service, specifically including his presumed exposure to Agent Orange based on his Vietnam service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer with maxillary metastasis and fibrocystic breast disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and concluding that the conditions are not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current onychomycosis of the feet is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not attributable to service, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder, and a peptic ulcer was not manifest within one year of separation from service. As such, the claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is denied.

The Veteran's left foot hammertoes were found to be manifested by unilateral hammer toe of all toes without claw foot prior to January 8, 2016. For the period beginning on January 8, 2016, his hammertoes were still considered manifested by unilateral hammer toe of all toes without claw foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis did not manifest during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a vocational assessment and consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, finding that there was no current disability and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder is not related to his military service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran does not have an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the Board finds that service connection is denied.