Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent, as there is no evidence of actual loss of use of the foot.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective August 24, 2009. The initial rating was increased from noncompensable to 10 percent in January 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran's nerve damage with pain and numbness in his right lower extremity is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as sepsis and myelodysplasia. The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the cause of his death, including exposure to ionizing radiation during service or any other service-connected condition contributing to his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for elevated blood pressure and impingement of the lateral cutaneous nerve, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's mood disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The disability is currently rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining dose estimates and opinions regarding in-service radiation exposure and chemical exposures. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Board found that the Appellant's excessive refractive error, a congenital condition, was not aggravated by his military service and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to radiation during service and whether his current eye-related disabilities are related to that exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of a stroke, secondary to service-connected heart disease, were rated at 10 percent from February 15, 2007 to October 8, 2012. The claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an eye disability related to service or caused by a service-connected condition, including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate and blood sugar disabilities were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not show a relationship to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for lung condition, to include sore throat, chest pain, and coughs. The Board finds there is a further duty to assist the Veteran with his claim due to ambiguity in current medical evidence regarding whether he currently has a chronic lung disorder associated with his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of large cell lymphoma of the ascending colon are productive of episodes of vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements/constipation lasting 2-3 days with peritoneal adhesions. The Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is required of the remaining claims, including a VA examination to obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of the Veteran's loss of fingers and left hand arthritis. The effective date for service connection remains October 21, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral heel stress fractures are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a moderately severe or severe disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to address the claimed bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to non-service connected pension and reopening the claim for service connection for gastroenteritis, scalp laceration residuals (head injury), left varicocele, and left nasal septal spur are dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for gastroenteritis and scalp laceration residuals.