Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spouse meets the criteria for an aid and attendance allowance due to her severe disabilities rendering her housebound, unable to dress, eat, medicate, or travel independently, and prone to falls such that she is unable to protect herself from the hazards of her environment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected compression fracture of L-1 vertebra is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the appellant is entitled to VA benefits related to her deceased husband's death and whether she can bring claims for service connection. The appeal will be reconsidered after all available evidence is reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of his claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information from treating providers and further development is needed in areas such as whether the Veteran participated in the CHAMPVA program.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's right pectoralis major tendon disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current skin condition of the right foot (dermatophytosis and blistering) is related to service, while his orthopedic condition of the right foot is less likely than not related to service. Service connection for the skin condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic pruritus and recurrent skin eruptions was granted. However, the claim for an increased rating beyond 30 percent for scarring associated with these conditions from January 15, 2016, was denied.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's knee conditions have been granted a rating of 20 percent for each affected knee, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited range of motion and pain, warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's residuals of a left thumb fracture result in functional loss due to pain, fatigue, and lack of endurance. The disability warrants an initial compensable evaluation (10%) under the rating criteria for limitation of motion of the thumb.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hand muscle loss and a compensable initial rating for long finger of left hand condition, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim is dismissed because he has already been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, which provides him with the same or greater benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XIX are currently rated at 10 percent, and the abdominal scars are rated at 30 percent prior to March 17, 2017. The peritoneal adhesions are not yet rated as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claim, including the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic adenocarcinoma, tracheobronchial esophageal fistula, malignant pericardial effusion, and liver metastasis. None of these conditions were service-connected before the Veteran's passing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, to include pneumonia, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.