Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran is assigned a 60 percent disability rating for his service connected status postoperative failed surgical back with probable arachnoiditis, effective January 24, 1994. The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected low back disability, and was last gainfully employed on January 11, 1995.

The Veteran's cause of death, Alzheimer's dementia, is found to be related to service. Accrued benefits are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's TTP with residuals of spleen removal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, specifically herbicide agent exposure. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's lung disability, including loss of pulmonary capillary surface area, has most nearly approximated a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second/Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) between 56 percent and 70 percent from June 1, 2014, to January 26, 2016. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a 30% rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cataracts and refractive error are not related to his service, including a contusion in 1979. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records related to the Veteran's knee surgeries and outpatient rehabilitation. The Veteran will have an opportunity to respond to the supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bladder disorder and an increased rating for his genitourinary disability were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a separate bladder disorder, and the Veteran's symptoms are already accounted for by his existing 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing residuals of a neck injury did not undergo permanent worsening beyond normal progression during active service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's onychomycosis with cellulitis of the right foot has been rated at 30 percent since November 13, 2008.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for total left hip replacement and entitlement to TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for reflex sympathetic dystrophy is granted as the evidence shows it began during her active military service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil with metastasis to the neck, as secondary to PTSD and due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for onychomycosis of the bilateral great toes effective from April 4, 2016. Prior to that date, the condition was rated as noncompensable.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 29, 2011. The issue is now dismissed as there are no pending claims or appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral calcaneal spurs, right first metatarsal sclerosis, and left foot arthritis as aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest, cerebrovascular accident due to thrombosis, pneumonia, and arrhythmia. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his service.