Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability due to an in-service motor vehicle accident and assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's left elbow disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent prior to August 3, 2012, and is now rated at 50 percent from that date, has been granted a maximum schedular rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for myasthenia gravis prior to March 7, 2008 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including peripheral edema of the feet. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination and updated VA medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation, ventricular heart attack with pacemaker/defibrillator combination placement was not caused by VA negligence or fault and was reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board Hearing.

The Veteran's pain disorder and mood disorder associated with carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist with reflex sympathetic dystrophy are rated at 50 percent effective March 1, 2011. The TDIU is also granted effective March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's kidney stones have required diet and drug therapy, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not cause urinary urgency requiring daytime voiding intervals of less than one hour; or awakening to void five or more times per night; or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than twice per day; nor has it been manifested by constant albuminuria with edema; nor by definite decrease in kidney function; nor by disabling hypertension; nor by generalized poor health characterized by lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, or limitation of exertion; nor has the Veteran required dialysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic eye disability for VA compensation purposes and that any current eye disorder is less likely related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following gallbladder surgery is dismissed as it is a downstream issue. The Board finds that further development is required to determine the underlying disorder resulting in the Veteran's current gastrointestinal symptoms and whether this disorder initially manifested during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of a left mandible fracture with interference to mastication, and limitation of motion. Additionally, he should be examined for any scars potentially related to this disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, finding that there was no loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible and thus no compensable disability.

The Veteran's training program in massage therapy began prior to July 1, 2012, which is the effective date for VRAP benefits. As a result, he is not legally entitled to payment under the VRAP.

The Board is unable to determine the correct effective date for the veteran's Dependents' Educational Assistance Chapter 35 benefits due to missing documents. The case is being remanded to obtain these documents and clarify the circumstances surrounding the claimant's eligibility.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected prostatitis is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, which reflects the predominant manifestation of voiding dysfunction. The current rating adequately compensates for his disability.

The Veteran's T-8 compression fracture with DJD, diffuse thoracic spondylosis, and DDD has been rated at 40 percent since February 1, 2014. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear consideration of relevant service treatment records, and an addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's sinus disability is caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher or separate ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.