Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to respiratory failure secondary to ARDS and pulmonary fibrosis. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if the Veteran's service-connected exposure to herbicide agents contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Dublin VAMC and any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's permanent and total disability rating was established on November 23, 2012. The appellant is the child of a veteran who has been found permanently and totally disabled since that date. As she turned 26 before this determination, she is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mesothelioma is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher initial rating prior to June 3, 2016 and from June 3, 2016 to present. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's glomerulonephritis was initially rated as noncompensable from December 1, 2008 to August 20, 2009. From August 21, 2009, a compensable rating of 30% for chronic glomerulonephritis is granted.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy, finding that the condition did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim was based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury that created additional disability, and thus denied service connection for poor eyesight. Service connection was also denied for refractive error as it is not considered a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran is precluded from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected osteomyelitis of the left humerus, which has rendered him unable to work since April 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected fifth trigeminal and cranial nerve disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disorder, including black lung disease, is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his left arm disabilities and a determination on whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia and varicose veins of the right lower extremity and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure due to or as a consequence of intracerebral hemorrhage and acute leukemia. The Board found no service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, and there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for the Veteran's cause of death is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right hip disability, but further development is needed to determine if it can be granted on the merits.

The termination of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits on August 1, 2016 is improper and has been restored effective August 1, 2016 due to deficient notice.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.