Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder with depressive features and alcohol use disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service symptoms of depression. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for de Quervain tenosynovitis of the left wrist and entitlement to a TDIU have been denied. The Veteran is rated at 40 percent for his condition from April 25, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to his failure to report for multiple scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, pancreatic cancer, was not related to his service or any conditions incurred during service. The evidence did not show a relationship between his gastrointestinal and prostate problems dating back to 1978 and his later diagnosed pancreatic cancer.

The Veteran's back disability was manifested by painful motion and stiffness with thoracolumbar spine forward flexion of at worst 60 degrees, intermittent muscle spasms without abnormal gait or ankylosis. The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gallbladder disability is not related to service or his service-connected epigastric hernia, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied because the evidence did not show financial hardship warranting a waiver, and his failure to report his spouse's income from unemployment benefits was considered an error rather than fraud or bad faith.

The Veteran's furuncles have been shown to be manifested by occasional flare-ups lasting approximately a month, with no flare-ups since 2012. The scars are not painful or unstable and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral eye keratoconus, refractive error, and right eye astigmatism are not diseases or injuries for VA compensation purposes. Therefore, service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg numbness has been remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. The claim will be reconsidered and a decision on its merits will be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The claimant's service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, was not verified by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), leading to a denial of eligibility for the one-time payment from the FEVC fund.

The Veteran's urge and stress incontinence is found to have had its onset during active service, with the Board resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by a malignant hemangiopericytoma tumor of the brain, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a right tibia fracture, postoperative, resulted in functional loss due to subjective complaints of pain, swelling, and giving way. The disability was assessed as resulting in impairment of the tibia and fibula with malunion, which approximated slight knee or ankle disability.

The Veteran's left eye disability, which includes traumatic cataract and post-operative retina detachment, has been rated at 30 percent since March 2007. The reduction from 40 to 30 percent was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 2007 rating decision. The Veteran's right eye is not service-connected.

The Appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran prior to his death.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits is denied as she does not qualify as the Veteran's spouse, child, or parent and did not incur any expenses associated with the Veteran's last sickness or burial.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic myeloid leukemia did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to his active service, including exposure to chemicals and/or chemical waste.