Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a leg disability, to include leg spasms. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence since November 2008, which addressed an in-service groin injury that led to hospitalization. VA medical records show current symptoms in the Veteran's legs, including numbness and weakness. As such, the Board has remanded for a VA examination to determine if any leg disabilities are at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's removal of left testis does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating, as there is no evidence of nonfunctional right testis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left lower extremity has been withdrawn.,Accrued benefits for an increased rating for prostate cancer have not been awarded as there was no pending claim at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral shin splint disability and whether any such disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected frostbite of the feet. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's chronic gastritis has been granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable initial disability rating, but the Board finds that for the entire initial rating period from October 5, 2010, the criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claim for proceeds of a National Service Life Insurance Policy ([redacted]) is remanded due to missing VA insurance records. The appellant alleges that the policy should have been valid and payable to his estate, but the exact nature of the issue is unclear as it does not pertain to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's APLA Syndrome did not initially manifest during his active duty service and is not otherwise aggravated by or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was denied by the Board. The decision found that the March 2005 substantive appeal was untimely and did not indicate intent to reopen a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues are related to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's FAP and attenuated FAP are not related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure. The APC gene mutation causing these conditions is congenital and pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's sickle cell retinopathy was rated based on visual acuity, with the highest rating of 50% granted from February 15, 2001 to April 20, 2005. Service connection for chalazion of the left eye was also denied.

The Board finds that the appellant is not eligible to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of receiving DIC benefits, survivors' pension and accrued benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran at the time of his death.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic lordoscoliosis in May 1981, finding that the condition was a congenital defect and not aggravated by service. The Veteran's motion alleged clear and unmistakable error (CUE) but the Board found no CUE.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and night sweats are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The VA Board found that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's colloid cyst of the brain and his active service, as evidenced by the lack of consistent symptoms during service and the absence of a connection to any in-service injury or exposure. The current disability was determined not to be related to service.

The Veteran's status post herniated nucleus pulposus with spondylosis has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2008. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating as it was manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for clarification regarding the extent of secondary aggravation of the Veteran's upper-gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is not the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to a lack of valid marriage, and thus denied the claim.

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