Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's left elbow disability is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his service-connected right hand disability and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current lung, stomach, or respiratory disorder that manifested during active military service and denied the Veteran's claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella disability has been granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and functional loss, effective May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture with leg length discrepancy was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board's May 2016 decision and remand is dismissed because the Court affirmed the Board's decision regarding the timeliness of the Veteran's NOD for gout, and the issue of service connection for HIV was not a final decision.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for restrictive lung disease beginning March 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires higher level of care at home. The issue remains whether he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left hallux valgus is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5280. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection for pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, and concluded that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service events were not credible. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.

The Veteran's skin disorders, diagnosed as actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis, are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $3,050 in VA pension benefits was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to recalculate the amount of the pension overpayment and provide a written audit.

The Veteran died due to congestive heart failure and metastatic colon cancer. The appellant alleges that the Veteran's exposure to radiofrequency radiation during service contributed to his colon cancer, which caused his death. The case is being remanded for a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected condition and that he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left eye disorder, including cataracts and presbyopia, is not related to his service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any in-service injury or disease and the current condition.

The Veteran's fatty liver disability is rated at 20 percent since May 12, 2011. The appeal for a higher initial rating prior to that date has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his right hip disability, including range of motion testing. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's diagnosed heart conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his active duty service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for alopecia areata, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and progression over decades. The claim of secondary service connection for PTSD was not addressed as part of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition.