Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's neck strain has been rated at 20 percent since December 15, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left calf disability that is due to disease or injury in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right elbow disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 13, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on additional functional limitation due to pain and other symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral onychomycosis was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right hip strain disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 31, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms and functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's sclerotic left mastoid tip is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and fungus of the scrotum, finding that there was no current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for multiple sebaceous cysts with hidradenitis suppurativa is being remanded due to the need for a VA skin examination and additional development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left upper extremity neurological disorder, manifested by left hand and arm numbness, first manifest during his active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for her heart disability, including diastolic dysfunction, due to her service-connected hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart murmur and is granting this claim. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination to determine if his current heart conditions are related to military service, including Agent Orange exposure or malaria from high fevers in Vietnam.

The Veteran's April 8, 2008 stroke was caused by VA's failure to explicitly instruct him to resume use of aspirin after his heart surgeries. The Board found that this constituted a failure to exercise the degree of care expected from a reasonable health care provider.

The Board found no evidence of radiation exposure during service and concluded that the Veteran's frontotemporal lobe dementia did not have a direct link to his service-connected thrombocytopenia. The condition was determined to be unrelated to service.

The appellant's special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted at $757 per month, effective April 8, 2014. The rate is the maximum amount allowable under law.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma has been granted. The issue of a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dengue fever is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bilateral hand disability and thoracic spine disability are also denied. The Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish an etiological link between his current disabilities and his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosable lung disability, and therefore, service connection for a lung disability, claimed as shortness of breath, to include as due to in-service exposure to asbestos, aerosols, and solvents is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination for left ear disability and readjudication of TDIU.

The Veteran's hallux rigidus on the right, short great and 5th toes caused by osteotomies is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that this rating was appropriate as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his diagnosed Primary Lateral Sclerosis is a variant of ALS.