Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's overpayment of $3,500.00 was properly created due to changes in his dependents not reported timely to VA. The Board finds that recovery would be against equity and good conscience as the Veteran notified VA about his change in dependents.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's emergency leave and earnings statements, which may provide details on his service in Vietnam. The appellant is seeking service connection for malignant neoplasms and the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for viral pneumonia is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, which may be related to his service-connected impairment of sphincter control.

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

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for special adaptive housing or a special home adaptation grant and automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only. As such, there is no longer an active case or controversy before the Board regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of diagnoses related to the Veteran's reported right knee problems during the appeal period.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, which he claims is related to his military service and/or a service-connected disability. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for meningioma tumors of the brain as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The Veteran's condition of cerebral aneurysm, however, remains under examination as the Board seeks further evidence on whether it was caused by service or specifically related to another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected trichiasis of the left upper eyelid has not resulted in visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, and therefore does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left arm were rated at 40 percent prior to July 2, 2013 and granted a TDIU effective August 5, 2014. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at housebound rate.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of gout in service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's current gout is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for gout in the left great toe is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low blood pressure and an increased rating for postoperative residuals of peptic ulcer, including subtotal gastric resection with anemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected chronic otitis externa with Eustachian tube dysfunction warrants a rating of 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6210. The symptoms described are adequately covered by this rating.

The Veteran's application for waiver of overpayment was received more than 180 days after notification, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's fecal urgency problem due to the lack of normal colon function, claimed as loss of sphincter control is causally related to his metachronous carcinoma of the colon, status postsubtotal colectomy with scar. The Board finds service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injuries and his current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorders, actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma, are of service origin. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for multiple myeloma, thus denying the application. The cause of death claim was also denied as there is no objective evidence corroborating the Veteran's claims regarding exposure to ionizing radiation.