Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The respiratory disorder claim will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the severity of his right foot amputations and whether there is metatarsal involvement. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes cavus, degenerative joint disease (DJD), metatarsalgia, and hammertoes, did not meet the criteria for service connection as his pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the relationship between his sleep disorder and service, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability or bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose vein disability is not related to his active service or a service-connected right femur contusion/strain, and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle defect, identified as heterotopic bone in the syndesmosis, is considered a residual of an injury sustained during service and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's bilateral leg disability existed prior to service. The VA examiner opined that there is no established progression of his myalgia, and the condition was not aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance should be remanded due to a failure to schedule a hearing at the RO.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II and has found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The prostate disorder claim remains pending as it was recharacterized.

The Board found that the Veteran's current pneumonia is not related to his in-service diagnosis of left lower lobe pneumonia, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for buttock cysts. The issue of a compensable evaluation for residuals of removal of chest cysts, to include scars is also REMANDED due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease and an anxiety disorder, but denied service connection for irritable colon syndrome. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination for his hearing loss.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death benefits due to her divorce and remarriage, which broke the continuous cohabitation requirement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left fibula fracture.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for VA benefits due to a lack of verified service with the U.S. Armed Forces, specifically as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or recognized guerrillas.

The Veteran's service did not meet the 90-day requirement for active military, naval or air service. The Board denied the claim as there was no qualifying service to establish eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his mood disorder and issuance of a statement of the case regarding service connection for shoulder and neck disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board granted a special apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits for his then-minor children, T.M. and T.P., based on hardship demonstrated by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for spinal muscular atrophy, diagnosed as Kennedy's disease, finding that the condition pre-existed service but was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is rated at 40 percent effective July 22, 2013. The disability was previously rated as noncompensable prior to that date.