Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private dental treatment records and a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of her dental condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for diplopia and his request for an effective date prior to July 30, 2012 for TDIU. The denial of SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for adenocarcinoma lung, non-small cell with bronchiectasis was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 2, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back (thoracic spine) disorder is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder and grants service connection for this condition. The effective date remains March 21, 2003 as no new evidence was submitted within one year of the VCAA's enactment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral leg disability, which he claims was caused by an injury sustained during active military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia and meniscal tear, has been rated at 40 percent since July 29, 2010. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for anemia and finds that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the Veteran does not have current anemia due to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right leg pain, numbness, and burning are not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's colon cancer is not due to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board videoconference hearing. The claim will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The case is being remanded for the Appellant to be scheduled for a DRO hearing at the RO. The appellant has requested an explanation of his status and wishes to have this hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ventral hernia residuals is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected ventral hernia residuals. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and private treatment records. The Veteran's representative requested an independent medical examination (IME) but was denied as the case does not raise complex, controversial or obscure medical issues.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for a total abdominal hysterectomy with left salpingo-oophorectomy and adhesiolysis requiring convalescence is denied as she was not service-connected for the condition at the time of the surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological gunshot wound residuals of the left thigh warrant a 20 percent evaluation prior to October 11, 2012 and no higher thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for essential thrombocytosis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral chondromalacia patella was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome with meniscal tears.