Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for partial removal of the colon, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected pilonidal cyst residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clinical records from the NPRC. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right elbow disability.

The Veteran's strokes are being remanded for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a colon disability. The issue will be decided by the originating agency before the Board makes its final decision.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for mild spondyloarthropathy, disc bulge at L5-S1, mild canal stenosis and mild disc desiccation. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective January 1, 2016.,The Veteran also seeks a TDIU prior to November 11, 2013 due to his service-connected knee disabilities. This claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).,A VA back examination was conducted in June 2014 but did not provide a clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was granted, with the effective date being January 28, 2011. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his current left hand disorder, which the Board finds was not willful misconduct. The Board grants service connection for residuals of a left hand injury from an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right hip have been rated at 30 percent since April 2008, based on limitation of abduction and motion lost beyond 10 degrees without evidence of malunion or nonunion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to address the Veteran's history of both service and post-service asbestos exposure.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including the submission of financial information and an updated Corpus of Estate Determination Form. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the issue on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed T-8 fracture residuals do not exist and, therefore, service connection for these residuals is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left fourth finger disability is related to an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's muscular dystrophy is not service-connected as it was a congenital defect and did not worsen during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete examination reports and other evidentiary deficiencies.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as to address the November 2011 positive opinion from Dr. A.A.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disorder did not begin during service and is not related to any injury or disease sustained in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a sinus disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cicatricial pemphigoid is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the extent of his service-connected right rib contusion and its impact on his ability to lift, bend, and perform activities related to the right lower ribcage.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces and therefore, he is not eligible for the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's skin disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher schedular rating, and his appeal for an extraschedular rating is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.