Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disorder of the hips and arthritis of the hips are not attributable to service, and arthritis was not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for cardiomyopathy is pending.

The Board has ordered the VA to make additional inquiries to SSA and address whether the appellant's annual countable income in subsequent years of the appeal period exceeded the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate for a surviving spouse without dependent children, as would preclude receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs death pension benefits.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA care, medical or surgical treatment, and the Board finds no evidence to support a finding of negligence on the part of VA. As such, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral Cormet femoral resurfacing as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the lack of an opinion on whether the hip conditions were aggravated by the lumbar condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple myeloma is not related to his active service, including any herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. He was hospitalized on the day of the hearing and provided medical evidence to support this.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as she did not submit a timely application within one year of her brother's death in November 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to contaminated water exposure at Camp LeJeune is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the C&P examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's urination problems and prostate issues are not related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's ingrown toenails are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental trauma to tooth #19 and secondary service connection for loss of tooth #18 due to use in a bridge is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions regarding the circumstances of his injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ring finger residual disability, including a flexion contracture of the PIP joint and fracture of the left fourth metacarpal, is related to service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 30% to 10% for dermatophytosis, both feet, effective September 1, 2015, was proper based on evidence showing sustained improvement.

The Veteran's chronic neck disorder was not shown in service, and is not causally or etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the current cervical spine DDD is not caused by or permanently worsened by the service-connected left shoulder DJD.

The Veteran's daughter, who was diagnosed with lupus at age 13, is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday and thus cannot be classified as a 'helpless child' for VA purposes.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for an overpayment of DIC benefits in the amount of $42,131 due to undue hardship and defeat of the purpose for which benefits were intended.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right bundle branch block is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining service personnel records to determine if the Veteran's discharge from active duty falls within exceptions provided under 10 U.S.C.A. � 1171 or 1173, and for reviewing her service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral edema of the lower extremities is as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.