Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints is being remanded due to the need for another examination to determine if she has a current lower leg condition and whether it is associated with her time in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute myocardial infarction, but the Board finds that it is not service-connected.,Burial benefits are denied as there is no evidence of a pending claim for VA disability compensation or pension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 11, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for meralgia paresthetica of the right lateral thigh and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective September 3, 2010. The Veteran's condition is currently rated as mild to moderate incomplete paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve of thigh.

The Veteran's left foot, fifth digit disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 2015. The condition is characterized by symptoms of a moderately severe disability including chronic pain, tingling, painful motion, fatigability, instability, weakness and functional limitations in his ability to perform occupational tasks that require prolonged standing or walking.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 31, 2004 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claims for service connection for right testicle atrophy and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left testicle atrophy remain denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of loss of sphincter control and therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his amnestic disorder, not otherwise specified, with primary insomnia is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and assessment.

The Board has determined that the appeal is dismissed as moot because the Veteran agreed that the $440 overpayment is valid.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits, but he wishes to reopen this issue. The RO needs to provide proper VCAA notice and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred on September 19, 2012 were reimbursed by VA as he received advance authorization for the care and had other insurance benefits.

The Board has determined that a rating of 40 percent is warranted for the Veteran's IgA nephropathy since July 1, 2014, based on urinary frequency including daytime voiding intervals of less than one hour. The Veteran was previously rated at 30 percent prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's pseudogout is not related to his service or caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for an examination to determine whether her 1997 surgery involved the removal of both ovaries, as this would allow for a higher disability rating.

The Board found that the original cause of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate was incorrect and determined that his true cause of death was squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. The claim for severance of service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder has been granted a noncompensable disability rating effective January 26, 2012. His Graves' disease continues to be rated at 30 percent and his bilateral keratoconus is rated at 10 percent as of June 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing at the Los Angeles RO. The Veteran's claims include service connection for bone cancer, myeloma, and leukemia, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a special monthly compensation examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's child support obligations have been met, and any increased apportionment of his VA benefits would cause undue hardship for himself and other dependents.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye injury with early cataracts resulted in a current disability rating of 20 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable rating criteria. The Board found that his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on central visual acuity impairment.