Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected left eye palsy is considered to encompass any related diplopia. The right eye 'shadow' is found to be a refractive error, not a compensable disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current lung disability and concluded that the Veteran's lung condition is not related to service, including exposure to asbestos or herbicides.

The Board has determined that there is no relationship between the Veteran's current chest pain and his service, as evidenced by a VA examination which found the symptoms to be consistent with costochondritis rather than muscle strain. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for death benefits and eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of service in active military, naval, or air service. The appellant's spouse had service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army but not recognized by the Department of Defense.

The Board found that the appellant's countable income for death pension benefits exceeded the statutory limits, thus denying her claim.

The Appellant withdrew her appeal, thus the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that the appellant's net worth does not constitute a bar to payment of death pension benefits, given her life expectancy and financial situation.

The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords has been in remission since 2003, with no further treatment. He currently experiences dry mouth and intermittent hoarseness and coughing, but no evidence of thickening or nodules on biopsy. His sense of smell and taste are partially impaired.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral photophobia associated with recession of the rectus muscle of the right eye and recession of the oblique muscle of the left eye is being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and head injuries are not service-connected as they did not manifest within a year of service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left middle finger disability has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion and pain.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left foot infection are rated at 20 percent since January 10, 2010. The claim for an initial compensable rating is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for spondylolisthesis defect, L5-S1.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequacies in the prior examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's request for a rescheduled hearing, and the VA will notify her of the new date and time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting tachycardia did not permanently worsen as a result of active service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ring finger disability and finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the left ring finger cannot be granted as his assertions are not supported by medical evidence.

The Board found that the Appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the time he turned 18, and thus did not meet the criteria for recognition as a 'helpless child' based on permanent incapacity for self-support.

The Veteran's mood disorder with alcohol dependence is rated at 100% since January 27, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 50%. The effective date for the increased rating remains pending as it has not been determined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the examination report and a need for another VA joint examination.