Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing documents and additional VA treatment records. The issues are whether he should receive a higher evaluation for his bronchiectasis, left lower lobe, before February 23, 2011, and from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the appellant's annual income exceeds the maximum allowable pension rate for a surviving spouse without dependents, thus denying her claim for VA death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of cervicitis and finds the preponderance of the evidence against finding a connection between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and her claimed condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cervicitis is denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal cancer was not caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right middle finger distal phalanx amputation is rated at 10 percent, the highest available rating under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cardiovascular disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the change in the Veteran's copay status from exempt to required for the period of May 12, 2006 through May 11, 2007 was proper and denied the claim.

The Board finds that the creation of an overpayment and debt were proper, as the Veteran's inaction contributed significantly to this error.

The Veteran's current TBI was incurred in service and is granted. The Veteran's vision disturbances and blurry vision are found to be related to her service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of Ewing's sarcoma, right humeral head and humerus replacement was received on October 7, 2009. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's dizziness is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a mouth injury and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with calluses and calcaneal spurs have been rated as 10 percent disabling for each foot. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted for both feet under DC 5284.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy of the left eye, which he claims was caused by knee replacement surgery at the Omaha VA Medical Center (VAMC). The Board finds that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine if any additional disability in his left eye is related to the VA care.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right eye corneal injury with astigmatism is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's left foot fracture with degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under DC 5284.

The Veteran seeks service connection for rectal cancer, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the claimed disability and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's request for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for phlebitis or any disability related to in-service superficial phlebitis of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.