Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating and to determine if a TDIU is warranted. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip and left leg disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury. The claim for residuals of a head injury is also denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for DJD at L1/L2 with annular tear at L5/S1 and hepatitis C was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hepatitis C, and the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine to warrant a higher rating for DJD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left testicle disability, including as secondary to his service-connected nerve entrapment and right herniorrhaphy, is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, service connection for this disability cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's benign right lung teratoma is a congenital condition and not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PID and the removal of her left fallopian tube caused her gynecological disorder, including the residuals of a hysterectomy.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorder and partial loss of vision are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current eye disability, to include retinal holes, related to service and there is no evidence of left elbow epicondylitis having its onset in service or being otherwise associated with service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including adjudicating a referred claim of entitlement to a rating higher than 50 percent disabling for amputation right index finger and deformity of right middle finger with residual scars of surgery. The TDIU issue will also be readjudicated after the referred claim is addressed.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted, as he met the service requirements and had a combined disability evaluation of 60% due to his psychiatric disabilities. The Board found that these disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the current character of the appellant's discharge and its impact on VA benefits. The claims will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's testicular tumors are not related to his in-service service or exposure, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot drop, as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple myeloma and associated mononeuritis multiplex are not related to his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right foot calluses were rated as analogous to painful scars, and a 20% disability rating was granted effective August 17, 2016. Prior to this date, the Veteran had one or two painful calluses warranting a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation did not begin during or within one year of service discharge, and thus cannot be granted service connection. The VA examiner found no evidence to support a link between in-service cardiac symptoms and the current condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and an opinion regarding the Veteran's rhabdomyolysis.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's income exceeded the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for death pension benefits from January 1, 2008 to April 1, 2012. Therefore, she is not legally entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right forearm with muscle damage did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for amblyopia of the left eye, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.