Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for carcinoma of the larynx is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by Agent Orange exposure or potential benzene exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disability and tachycardia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims, and there is no direct or secondary service connection established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes, and thus grants her eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses was timely filed and the Board found in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right hand disability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for arthritic changes, right hand, and entitlement to a TDIU will be considered.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in a January 2017 Board decision, and the appeal is dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board at this time.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and there are no merits for consideration as the claim is moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's disease, finding no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation or gas well fires/environmental hazards during service and concluding that the disease is not related to such exposures. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected compartment syndrome of the lower extremities has been rated at 30 percent since December 21, 2000. The Board also granted a TDIU effective November 1, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran did not maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation in implementing a program of vocational rehabilitation services, leading to the discontinuance of his benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hand disability is aggravated by his service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's stroke-like symptoms resolved within 24 hours, leading to a diagnosis of reversible ischemic neurologic deficit. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the severity of his right hip disability and the etiology of his impotence.

The Veteran's degenerative muscle disability/mitochondrial myopathy resulted in mild, but no more than mild, incomplete paralysis of the respective affected nerve throughout the appeal period. Beginning March 24, 2005, the Veteran's degenerative muscle disability/mitochondrial myopathy is rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current autoimmune syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left leg disability and determine if there is shortening of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral posterior polar cataracts was granted, but the RO assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran is now seeking an increased rating.