Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives and to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the evaluation for service-connected pleural fibrosis with interstitial lung disease.

The Veteran's right leg deep venous thrombosis warrants staged ratings of 0 percent prior to October 24, 2008; 10 percent from October 24, 2008 through March 3, 2009; and 20 percent from March 4, 2009 through September 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel fragment wounds to the right hip and left lower leg were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to the appellant's request.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities are currently rated at 30 percent each, with no additional evaluations granted. Peripheral neuropathy is also service connected to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need to determine if he was enrolled in VA health care system and received treatment within the past 24 months, as well as obtaining copies of relevant billing statements.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU has been remanded due to incomplete adjudication by the AOJ. The effective date of the increase in rating is July 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including a neurologic disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's fatal AML and CML were related to chemical exposures in service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. After resolving all doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for RLS and meralgia paresthetica, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to June 25, 2012, were denied. His right ankle disability was also not granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is dismissed as moot due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Maryvale Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current left choroidal nevus.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied as her appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 18, 2011 for service connection for pernio.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral eye disability, which he asserts is related to in-service burns and corneal abrasions. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding diffuse choroidal hemangioma and pterygium.

The Board has granted a compensable initial disability evaluation of 20 percent for PVD in both lower extremities, effective from October 30, 2008, and May 6, 2009 respectively. The Veteran's PVD is currently rated as 20 percent disabling bilaterally.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability manifested by left lower abdominal pain and concluded that the Veteran's subjective reports were not supported by objective medical findings. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to gastritis, which is unrelated to his service.