Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand symptoms are a usual effect of his pre-existing GSW and subsequent surgery, and thus denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during service, no competent medical evidence linking it to his period of service, and a 33-year gap between service and diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and a need for a VA examination.

The case is being remanded for the addition of an Explanation of Benefits from the Veteran's insurance company (Medicare) to determine if the Veteran can be reimbursed for medical expenses incurred at Shands Teaching Hospital from June 13, 2012 to June 26, 2012. The decision may also be impacted by a recent Court decision in Staab v. McDonald.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's onychomycosis, a fungal infection of his toenails, warrants a 10 percent rating under DC 7804 due to painful and hypertrophic nails affecting less than 5% of his entire body. The condition does not involve exposed areas or require systemic therapy.

The Veteran seeks an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected postural syncope. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before this issue can be adjudicated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for symptomatic left internal carotid artery stenosis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew her claim of entitlement to service connection for scoliosis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant-widow, and no decision was made on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary disorders, including as a result of asbestos exposure or secondary to his service-connected asbestosis, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's salivary gland cancer is found to be related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The cause of death due to the salivary gland carcinoma is also granted. Burial benefits are awarded as a result of the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Board denied the moving party's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that they were legally divorced at the time of the Veteran's death. The decision is final and cannot be revised on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge under other than honorable conditions is not a bar to VA benefits for the period from September 20, 1966 to July 23, 1968.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, finding that there is no credible evidence of exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service and insufficient evidence linking any asserted mercury exposure from dental treatment to current memory loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a disorder productive of chest pain and breathing difficulty, finding that there was no evidence linking these symptoms to his military service. The TDIU claim was also denied as of July 25, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence linking his cause of death (status post cardiac arrest) to any condition incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's disability of residuals, SFW of the right (dominant hand) hand has been manifested by moderately severe disability of Muscle Group VII. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent are not met or approximated.

The Veteran's carcinoma of the lower intestines was not incurred or aggravated during his period of service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.