Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of surgery for pilonidal cyst are productive of symptoms consistent with extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements, warranting a 60 percent disability rating. The Veteran is also entitled to separate 30 percent ratings for recurrent infections of the service-connected residuals of surgery for pilonidal cyst due to their impact on skin health. Additionally, the Veteran meets criteria for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected osteochondroma of the left distal femur and determine any functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's colorectal cancer was not shown to be related to service, including ionizing radiation exposure. The Board found no causal relationship between the Veteran's service and his colon cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for congestive heart failure has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for CMML, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein due to herbicide exposure.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant requesting a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling the appellant's videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia of the bilateral feet has been manifested by pain on manipulation and accentuated on use and weight-bearing, and inability to sustain prolonged standing or walking. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ventral hernia, postoperative warrants a 20 percent rating for the period prior to August 13, 2013 and a 40 percent rating from August 13, 2013 to September 5, 2013. After this date, there is no evidence of a recurrent hernia or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral lattice degeneration is related to in-service exposure to hydraulic fluid splashing in his eyes. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran claims service connection for bursitis of the body and a left hand disability, to include limited motion and radiating pain, both allegedly related to an in-service automobile injury. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal on the merits has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran requested an extension of the delimiting date for his Montgomery GI Bill benefits due to his service-connected Crohn's Disease. However, the Board denied this request as the delimiting date was previously extended due to Crohn's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sterility is related to his service-connected hyperthyroidism with hyperreflexia, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disorder was not aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to a lack of adequate range of motion testing in his previous VA examination.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits cannot be apportioned to the appellant due to her not meeting financial criteria for hardship and no undue hardship on the Veteran being shown.

The Veteran's gastric cancer is found to be related to his military service, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected status post repair of the right ring finger has been manifested by limitation of motion, ankylosis, pain on use, decreased grip strength, and numbness; however, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gilbert's syndrome, to include as secondary to Crohn's disease, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent prior to October 17, 2014 for Crohn's disease were denied. The effective dates for the grants of individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU), right hip osteoporosis, and left hip osteoporosis were also denied.