Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's autonomic nervous system dysfunction and finger amputations of the right hand are related to his exposure at Camp Lejeune, leading to service connection being granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or substantially contribute to his death from lymphoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left eye injury, including decreased visual acuity and abnormal fundus, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service, including a plane crash during active duty. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current arthritis of the spine was caused by or related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by glioblastoma multiforme, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for loss of sense of smell and partial loss of sense of taste have been denied as there is no evidence of a complete loss of these senses, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be established.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's colon cancer, finding that his in-service asbestos exposure is at least as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Veteran's skin disorder has been rated at 60 percent since November 2013, and he is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted initial compensable evaluations. The right big toe deformity and pulmonary fibrosis are rated at 10 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal cancer is being remanded to the Louisville, Kentucky RO for additional development related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The issue will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left hand laceration and neck pain are pending.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for further apportionment of the Veteran's compensation benefits on behalf of her two daughters, finding that their status as 'children' under VA regulations ended when they moved out of the Veteran's household.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the overpayment of $3,000 for educational benefits was not due to fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith on the part of the Veteran. The decision also noted that recovery would cause significant undue hardship and thus waived the overpayment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, including whether they are related to his military service or caused by his service-connected knee and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities and an evaluation of the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the termination of the apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits, effective December 1, 2009, was proper due to the divorce between the Veteran and his former spouse.

The Veteran's service was not considered active duty during a period of war, thus he does not meet the eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right ankle disability has been denied by the Board. The evidence does not support an increase in the current 20 percent rating.