Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left middle finger disability, including the fracture and degenerative joint disease, was found to be at least as disabling as a 10 percent rating prior to December 15, 2011. As of that date, it did not warrant an increase beyond this level.

The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was denied as she did not file a timely application within one year of her husband's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected duodenal ulcer with digestive problems and post-operative ventral hernia.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA specialist.

The Board has determined that the appellant's net worth is not a bar to death pension benefits, including special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, effective January 2014. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia warrants a 30 percent rating, reflecting considerable impairment of health.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome is related to service, specifically during active duty. The case is being remanded again as the previous instructions have not been complied with.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his umbilical hernia has been granted, but the case is being remanded due to issues with scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board finds that the reduction from 100% to 30% was proper, and then reduced from 30% to 10%, with a noncompensable rating effective February 18, 2016.,The Veteran's lung disability is not currently manifested by symptoms warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to additional compensation benefits for a dependent child, N.A.H., based upon school attendance from June 5, 2006 to January 31, 2007. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this case.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all outstanding records, including those from the West Palm Beach VA medical center. The Veteran's representative requested a new opinion considering her March 2016 medical report on cardiovascular effects of hypothyroidism. The case is now remanded for an addendum opinion by an appropriate VA examiner.

The Board found that a current bilateral leg disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's cause of death was related to service, including exposure to herbicides and pesticides.

The Board found that the Veteran's throat cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected status post head injury with cerebral atrophy has not manifested in symptoms of impaired judgment, impaired social interaction, impaired orientation, impaired visual spatial orientation, impaired neurobehavioral effects, or more than mild impairment of memory and motor activity. As a result, the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed lung disorder and there is no competent evidence linking his respiratory complaints to service or herbicide exposure. As such, he cannot establish service connection for an unspecified lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and scheduling a new VA examination to address conflicting information in the September 2014 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees and assigned a 10 percent rating each, effective July 1, 2010.