Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's VA compensation was terminated due to fugitive felon status from May 29, 2007, to September 29, 2008, and that the debt of $43,949.77 resulting from this termination was properly created.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional nonservice-connected death pension benefits, finding no legal basis on which to grant the claim.

The Veteran's heart condition is rated at 30 percent since May 11, 2015. The effective date for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his skin condition, indicating he is satisfied with the current 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left ear otitis media with mastoidectomy does not demonstrate active or chronic suppuration or aural polyps, and is therefore rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's right ear mastoidectomy was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to his service-connected left ear otitis media with mastoidectomy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tightness in the chest and numbness and tingling of hands and feet due to a lack of current diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records related to the Veteran's right arm.

The Veteran's left hip muscular strain and buttock wound are not shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not demonstrate that his service-connected conditions alone preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right and left foot stress fractures were denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations.,The Veteran was also denied a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's skin disorders are related to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for scheduling of a hearing. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected conditions. The claim for secondary service connection has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pneumoconiosis was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or for TDIU.

The Veteran's obesity was not incurred or aggravated in service, and is not proximately due to, or the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service connected disability. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity.

The Board has granted a higher monthly nonservice-connected death pension payment to the Veteran's surviving spouse, equivalent to the MAPR for a claimant with no dependents and receiving aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple myeloma was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the reduction of nonservice-connected pension benefits was proper due to the Veteran's failure to provide adequate verification of his income and net worth during the relevant appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed prostate and bladder disorders are not related to his active service, including any exposure to chemicals in service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current right foot and toe conditions to his military service, including boot wear. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.