Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Vet Center in Warwick and requesting an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's service and his left eye retinal detachment, concluding that it was less likely than not related to the injury in service.

The Veteran's stomach cancer and GIST are related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board granted service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis NOS, is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for a disease or injury under VA compensation laws. The Board finds that his personality disorder NOS with paranoid, schizoid, and passive-aggressive features pre-existed service and was aggravated by military service. However, his psychotic disorder NOS is presumed to have been caused by his personality disorder NOS.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for TDIU can be adjudicated. The case is being remanded to obtain a social and industrial survey with regard to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain a copy of a July 28, 2011 eye examination report and will remand the case for further development.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating assignment, and extraschedular referral. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's stroke residuals did not begin during his military service, were not caused by his service, and are not aggravated by a service-connected disability. The medical evidence does not support any connection between the Veteran's stroke and either his military service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's blood clots with a pulmonary embolus were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee patellectomy with degenerative arthritis of the tibiofemoral joint, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a skin disability of the right hand and forearm, nor did he have such a condition during service. The evidence is negative for any complaints or treatment related to this condition until many years after discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's uterine fibroids and hysterectomy residuals are not related to her period of service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's essential tremor was not caused by or incurred during his active duty service and the Board finds that service connection is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for pharyngitis due to mustard gas exposure is being returned to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and low back disability has been denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disability did not have its onset during military service and is not otherwise related to such service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than Level V hearing acuity in the right ear and Level I hearing acuity in the left ear throughout the rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any relevant private medical records. The Veteran must also provide updated information on his employment status after September 2014.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's lung disability was rated at 30 percent prior to December 27, 2011 and increased to 60 percent effective from December 27, 2011.,Effective July 27, 2005, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected lung disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's nonunion left ulnar styloid, diagnosed in service and aggravated by a fall during service, is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for right elbow arthritis. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his right elbow arthritis as it is more likely than not caused by his active military service.