Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his left eye disability. The case will be re-adjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's request for independent living services was denied as the requested items are not considered necessary to improve his independence in daily living.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including vocal cord paralysis, dysphagia, hernia, and speech disturbance, are considered expected complications of the esophageal cancer surgery performed on July 23, 2008. The VA did not commit any fault or negligence in performing the surgery, nor was there an unforeseeable event resulting from it.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is related to ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative age-related findings such as facet arthropathy, but not to service. The right leg neurological disability claim was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's deQuervian tenosynovitis of the left wrist has been rated at 10% since May 23, 2016. The surgical scar of the left wrist is also rated at 10%. These ratings are effective from May 23, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR), requiring further examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a generalized right arm disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for digestive system disability, including achalasia as secondary to GI condition treatment, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to inadequacy of the previous examination and the need for additional information regarding his left wrist disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disability alone is not sufficient to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has failed to meet his evidentiary burden regarding his education and work history.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory condition was not incurred in service, specifically due to asbestos exposure during active duty for training (ADT). The claim was denied as there is no direct evidence linking the current respiratory disorder to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left hip disorders have been denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the evidence of record does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left leg condition, diagnosed as peripheral vascular disease of the left leg, is not related to his active service. The VA examiner found no connection between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current PVD.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding any relationship between the Veteran's skin disorders and his service-connected disabilities, including proteinuria with hypertension, Meniere's syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's lung disorder was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating from July 16, 2009, to June 5, 2013, and from June 5, 2013, to February 19, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pleural plaque formation was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2014. From that date, the disability has been rated at 10% based on increased pulmonary function test results.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was denied, and the Board has ordered remand due to procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's nasal fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as of August 1, 2009.

The Veteran's larynx cancer claim is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition and whether it is related to service or chemical exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of malaria has been denied as there is no evidence of active malaria or its residuals.