Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and that lung cancer did not originate in service.

The Veteran's son was denied the entitlement to his father's rate for the month of death as an accrued benefit due to not meeting the eligibility criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes dishonorable conditions. Therefore, his character of discharge bars him from receiving VA benefits for his period of service, including a VA home loan guaranty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-fracture with degenerative changes T8-T12 was granted, and he is currently rated at 40 percent disabling since November 20, 2014. His claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for frost bite residuals in the right leg and foot is being remanded due to a need for additional development, including an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the claims for higher initial ratings for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the right leg and right ankle dorsiflexor weakness.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for heterotrophic bone at insertion site of Kuntsher rod in greater trochanter of the right hip is being remanded due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Veteran's additional dental disabilities, including TMJ disease and damaged teeth, are compensable under VA regulations for purposes of receiving VA dental treatment.

The Board denied service connection for left face nerve damage, bilateral eye disability (claimed as 'blurred vision'), and left eye blindness with loss of visual acuity. The claims were all determined to be secondary to a service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism and presbyopia, left ankle strain, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, pharyngitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran also has ongoing claims for increased ratings for blepharitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her claim for an increased disability evaluation for non-cardiac syncope, claimed as narcolepsy.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was validly created. The Board found that the criteria for waiver of recovery were met, and therefore granted the waiver.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are characterized by arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but no instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage. The RO denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for both knees.

The Board found that the Veteran's right parapharyngeal space tumor was not etiologically related to his military service, including exposure to environmental irritants in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right breast implant residuals are related to service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, and the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner in August 2016 concluded that the bilateral hip disability is less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including pneumonia residuals, is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and lumbar spine DDD, and TDIU prior to January 14, 2014. The Board found no evidence linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy and a compensable rating for rectal polyp, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service occurrence or nexus to active service. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.