Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board found that J.A.M. did not have verified active military service, and therefore, was not a 'veteran.' As a result, the appellant's claim for VA death benefits was denied.

The VA denied an extraschedular rating for the service-connected residuals of a pyogenic granuloma of the right hand fifth digit, finding that the available schedular ratings adequately described the disability level and symptomatology.

The Board finds that the Veteran's septal deviation does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code, as his nasal obstruction is less than 50% on both sides. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, a right shoulder disability, and TDIU. The Veteran's vaginitis was rated at 10 percent prior to December 9, 2016, but not in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy disability, which may be related to his in-service right hip injury or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's skin disability has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not affect more than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas, and does not require constant systemic therapy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and an initial compensable evaluation prior to August 16, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent disabling for his deviated septum. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically rotator cuff tendonitis with impingement, has been rated at 20 percent since July 27, 2006. The current evidence does not support a higher rating as the range of motion is within limits that do not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for canker sores was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection based on anemia, which was linked to irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for canker sores is moot as the claim has been resolved by the severance decision.

The Veteran's rectovaginal fistula symptoms are fully and appropriately addressed by the criteria for a 100 percent rating, with at least one episode of fecal leakage per day requiring daily use of pads.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right arm disability and therefore, service connection for such disability is denied.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction is related to his service-connected urethral stricture.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of benign prostate hypertrophy that is related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's membranous nephropathy was aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's skin disability claims, including consideration of his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the left hand, to include arthritis, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for drug dependency is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a new VA examination. The examiner must address any diagnosed drug dependency, its etiology, and whether it is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's left hip disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective March 28, 2017. The appeal is granted for the period prior to March 28, 2017.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from a cerebral vascular accident.

The Board found that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying her entitlement to death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for missing upper anterior teeth was denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying dental disability due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible resulting from trauma or disease.