Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Giardia lamblia infection and its residuals is denied as there is no objective evidence of either an on-going infection or residual symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disability. The issue is currently being remanded to determine if the inguinal hernia residuals are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability and ED are not related to his service, but has found that ED is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim for a right hip disability was denied, while the claim for ED on secondary basis was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual death pension rate (MAPR) that applies to a surviving spouse without a dependent child.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for coronary artery disease due to exposure to Agent Orange during active duty has also been granted.,Secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, as aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain the required information regarding his knee disabilities, including range of motion testing in active and passive motion, and while weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were not manifested by ankylosis, semilunar cartilage disorder, flexion limited to 15 degrees, extension limited to 20 degrees, or malunion with marked ankle disability. The Veteran was in receipt of a separate compensable rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for atrial fibrillation from May 1, 2008 to April 13, 2016, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right lower extremity spasticity with decreased muscle strength is currently rated at 40 percent, and the residuals of cerebral stroke with dysarthria and right upper extremity spasticity with decreased muscle strength are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.,The evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating since September 2, 2009 for pterygium of the right eye is being remanded due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's appeal is for service connection for a left ingrown toenail and squamous cell carcinoma of the left great toe. The Board notes that he has also submitted evidence of a separate claim for bone cancer, which was denied in October 2012 but not appealed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine surgery resulted in a temporary total rating from April 1, 2013 to June 1, 2013. The disability has since been rated at 20% effective June 2, 2013.

The Board granted service connection for right knee disability and assigned a non-compensable evaluation, which was later increased to 10 percent effective July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his right hand arthritis and back disability, including rating determinations and effective dates. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a missing VA examination report from September 2015. The Veteran's bilateral hand tremors claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral conjunctival concretions are related to sun exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability (patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease) is not related to his service, including as secondary to his right lower extremity disabilities. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to not meeting the minimum service requirement of 24 months of continuous active duty or six years in the Selected Reserve, and because he was not discharged from service due to a service-connected disability.