Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as L4-5 and L5-S1 disc bulging with foraminal narrowing and left-side herniation, is more likely than not related to his military service. The Board resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for drug addiction as secondary to impulse control disorder was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected coccidioidomycosis (lung disorder) is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis of the right foot with heloma dura and a curly fifth toe, as well as her service-connected onychomycosis of the left foot with a curly fifth toe, have been rated at 40 percent each for actual loss of the foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and issues raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The claims will be reviewed again, with particular attention given to secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have mitral valve prolapse with murmur, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand muscle cramps, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and events in service.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied due to his income exceeding the current means test and geographic means test income thresholds. The case is being remanded for further development, including a review of the calculation of his income and deductible expenses.

The Veteran's prostate disability, diagnosed as BPH, was not incurred in or is not etiologically related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and will consider whether new evidence supports reopening of a previously denied claim of service connection for symmetrical lipomatosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's herniated disc, L5-S1, spondylolisthesis with loss of lordosis and assigned an initial 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2003. The Veteran is now appealing the effective date of this award.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a partial amputation of the tip of his right middle finger was denied as there is no evidence that the amputation occurred at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto, with or without metacarpal resection.

The Veteran's total left hip replacement is rated at 70 percent prior to June 17, 2016. The Veteran's total right hip replacement is rated at 50 percent prior to June 17, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's essential tremor had its onset during military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for post void dribbling and bursitis of the right hip, finding no current disability or nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, including from VA Medical Centers.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been dismissed as the request to withdraw the appeal was received by the Board.

The Veteran's breast cancer claim has been reopened, and service connection for residuals of breast cancer is granted. Service connection for colon cancer is denied due to the lack of a definitive cause attributed to his active duty service.