Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's current left hand arthritis is not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his in-service fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder other than morphea (localized scleroderma) and a respiratory disorder, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to May 24, 2011. The evidence does not support an increase in the evaluation.

The Veteran's condyloma acuminata has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot and right hand disabilities are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are adequately described by the applicable schedular rating criteria, and thus an extraschedular evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder prior to February 2, 2010 resulted in no more than mild or transient symptoms that decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, including skin cancer, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current skin disorders are related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as acromioclavicular arthropathy and supraspinatus tendinopathy, was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits as the remarried widow of a veteran due to her remarriage after age 57, and thus her claim must be denied.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymia makes him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dry eye syndrome and pinguecula of both eyes was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative traumatic arthritis of unspecified joints has been dismissed as he expressed a desire to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability, which is service-connected, does not warrant a higher evaluation as her visual acuity in both eyes combined does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. The left eye, which is non-service connected, results in 20/40 vision and thus does not affect the evaluation of the right eye disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout and benign prostatic hypertrophy, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer. The VA will need to obtain all pertinent records from the Salem VAMC and request any outstanding private records. Additionally, the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his diagnosed conditions are related to his service-connected condition.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine the Veteran's daughter's enrollment in educational institutions following her 18th birthday and provide both parties with copies of relevant transcripts.

The Veteran's diverticulitis is rated as 10 percent since November 30, 2010.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse with no dependents, even after deducting all allowable medical expenses. Therefore, she is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.