Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right hand disability, characterized by cramping, swelling, and difficulty with gripping and lifting, has been rated at 10 percent since May 20, 2010. The current rating is appropriate given the functional limitations of the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and asking the Veteran to identify any additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatophytosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806, as it covers less than five percent of his body and exposed areas without requiring systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cancer, which is linked to a liver fluke infection incurred during service or due to his service-connected diabetes and coronary artery disease. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not serve for a period of 90 days or more during a period of war, and thus does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected Epstein-Barr virus is not productive with active disease or during a treatment phase, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating. The Board also found that there was no material change in the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities since her last examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left thigh and left foot pruritic fungus, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's schedular provisions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, a wart on the middle finger of his left hand, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the revised VA Rating Schedule effective August 30, 2002. The evidence does not show that at least 5% of his entire body or exposed areas were affected by the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral lower extremity disorder, including gout, is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected urinary disability, which is rated as 40 percent disabling effective November 29, 2010, has been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of more than the currently assigned 40 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral optic atrophy is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a mandible fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating based on his TMJ disorder, which had limited lateral excursion and inter-incisal range. His TDIU claim is remanded as it has been raised by his testimony and VA examination.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The VA determined that the Veteran's thoracic scoliosis disability warranted a 20 percent rating, effective November 19, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for skin disabilities of the feet, an initial compensable rating for pancreatitis, and a TDIU prior to January 31, 2012. The skin disability claim is granted, but the other two claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of home modifications made between June and August 2008 was denied by the VA Regional Office (RO). The decision is based on the fact that the work was not done in accordance with VA's contracting requirements.

The Veteran's step-daughter, F.C., was determined not to be recognized as a 'helpless child' of the Veteran due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye cataract did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, is not related to any incident during active service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right eye cataract. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left eye cataract is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral leg condition, which may be related to his military service as a rigger.