Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board found that MDS did not have onset during active service, was not caused or aggravated by exposure to herbicides in service, and was not otherwise caused by active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for MDS is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left trigeminal nerve neuralgia, as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran was not experiencing herpetic keratitis symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an updated pulmonary examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected neurologic disabilities affecting his bilateral upper extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left leg vascular disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's testicular disability is not warranted, and has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right ilio-inguinal pain associated with his service-connected left testicular disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran has submitted new and material evidence sufficient to warrant reopening his claim for service connection for ear infections. The Board also finds that there was an in-service incurrence of the disability, as evidenced by the June 2012 VA examination report where the Veteran was diagnosed with and treated for ear infections in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including jungle rot, is not related to his service and denied the claim. The tinnitus claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a current disability within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability of the left foot is not attributable to active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her left eye and arm disabilities. The claims will be further evaluated with additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition was denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury, and the only competent medical opinion evidence weighs against the claim.

The Board has vacated the portion of the September 2015 decision denying service connection for multiple myeloma and depression due to failure to address relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma is granted as it is in equipoise that his condition was caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected traumatic right orchitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of complete atrophy of both testes. The claim for an increased rating was therefore denied.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for further research into the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Guam.

The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 12, 2014. His skin disorder remains at a noncompensable rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's pelvic floor dysfunction and right hip piriformis syndrome have been granted service connection, with a 30% rating for the right hip condition effective since November 22, 2004.

The Board found that the discontinuance of DIC benefits, effective April 1999, was void ab initio due to procedural errors and restored DIC benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's exposure to dioxins during service. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of overpayment benefits due to his status as a fugitive felon, finding that he was at fault in creating the debt and that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's death was due to colorectal cancer, and the appellant is seeking service connection for this condition. The VA needs to obtain his service personnel records and determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange during service.