Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran had a disease associated with Agent Orange exposure and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist.

The Veteran's skin disability, manifested by boils, abscesses, and furuncles, has been rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board finds that the highest schedular rating for this condition is appropriate given the symptoms described.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder and did not address or grant an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for spindle cell sarcoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds, effective October 3, 2013.

The Veteran's myalgia condition is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for a full VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran has any circulatory disorders and whether they are related to service or are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for PVD of the right and left lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective February 23, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his service or exposure to asbestos or other chemicals, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's ingrown toenails and onychomycosis of the right foot are rated at 0 percent, while those of the left foot are also rated at 0 percent. The Veteran's cold injury residuals of both feet have been rated at 10 percent from May 10, 2006; and 20 percent from May 2, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of loan guaranty indebtedness as it was not timely filed, based on evidence showing that the Veteran received notification of his indebtedness and accompanying appeal rights but did not file within the required 180-day period.

The Veteran's lung disability, including emphysema and a collapsed lung during service, is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claim for direct service connection is denied.

The Board has revised the July 1953 decision to grant service connection for Behcet's syndrome including bilateral uveitis.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits in the amount of $8,392.53 was properly created based on evidence indicating a scheme where veterans received passing grades in return for providing monetary donations and other gifts to the school.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder, finding that her hammer toes and Morton's neuroma pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. The examiner noted no complaints of pain or other symptoms related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's cellulitis and lymphangitis of the right leg did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it was in remission, covered less than 5% of his body, and required no systemic therapy.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim that VA improperly withheld his disability compensation benefits due to recoupment of special separation benefits (SSB). The decision states that the law requires such recoupment and that there is no discretion for waiver.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability and rectal bleeding, finding no evidence of their onset in service or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's atrioventricular block resulted in a left ejection fraction of 46 percent, meeting the criteria for a 60% evaluation from August 28, 2009 to September 9, 2011.