Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's Bell's palsy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current symptomatology.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's competency for receiving direct payment of VA disability compensation benefits will be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private eye clinic records and arranging for a VA examination to address the claim for service connection for vision problems.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue is now remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding whether service-connected hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran died in August 1990, and his grave was already marked with a privately purchased marker. The appeal is denied as the legal requirements for eligibility are not met due to the Veteran's death occurring before November 1, 1990.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected back injury with traumatic arthritis, effective September 26, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including hammertoes and fourth toe arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and for further development. The issues include seeking higher disability ratings for ALS residuals.

The Veteran's initial rating for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service diagnosis of sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right lower extremity is granted in conjunction with the grant of a 100 percent rating for peripheral vascular disease.

The appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and specialized restorative training under Chapter 35 is denied as the institution was not approved by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The appellant will be provided notice of the time, date, and location of this hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these were caused by service or a service-connected condition. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending and will be addressed after any necessary development related to the right leg varicose veins has been completed.

The Veteran's service-connected scar residual to shell fragment wound of the left buttock has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The VA examiner found no significant arthritic change and noted that there was a very small, tiny wound with a residual foreign body in the left buttock. The Veteran complained of soreness and pain but no limitation of function or arthritis in the left hip.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for gout of the right foot. The Veteran's current gouty arthritis is found to have its onset in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for back strain in May 2005. New evidence received since then does not relate to the unestablished fact of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the claim was not filed until February 7, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud's disease/phenomenon and facial paresthesia were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and a higher initial rating of 10 percent for TMJ, effective March 1, 2009. The Veteran's sleep disorder was incurred in service.