Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $1091.23 was timely filed, and therefore grants this part of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for idiopathic angioedema was granted with an effective date of February 9, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's character of discharge from active service is a bar to VA compensation benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct during his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled travel hearing. The case will be processed again with a new hearing date.

The Veteran's prostatitis has resulted in urinary frequency that requires daytime voiding in 1 to 2 hour intervals and nighttime awakening to void 3 times. The Board finds a 20 percent rating is warranted for the disability.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected neurological impairment of lower extremities equates to loss of use of feet.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis, previously characterized as kidney stones, recurrent, warrants a rating of 40 percent for the period beginning April 12, 2014, based on voiding dysfunction.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability and left knee scar had improved, warranting restoration of their respective 10% disability ratings from October 1, 2010 to February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right eye cataract is granted as it is found to be due to an in-service injury. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia repair with stable scar remains unchanged.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including family relations, as a result of psychiatric symptomatology such as suicidal ideation, depressed mood, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder prior to June 23, 2015, and an effective date of December 17, 2008, for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder has been granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent, effective October 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after a supplemental statement of the case was issued.

The Board found that the Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter and is not caused or aggravated by an in-service event, injury or disease, to include herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's death was caused by rectal cancer, but the service connection for this condition is denied as it is not related to his military service and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension due to the need for aid and attendance was denied as he failed to attend a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple symptomatic peripheral joints and chest wall pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia, has been granted a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent since April 14, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's current lower extremity vascular disease is etiologically linked to his in-service symptoms and if so, whether it preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis and reactive airway disease, are not related to service. The pre-existing asthma was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.