Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2013.

The Veteran's defective vision, secondary to a fracture of the frontal skull and bilateral orbit, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to October 2, 2005 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent for the period prior to October 2, 2005 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected vocal cord nodules with hoarseness are currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that her symptomatology is all specifically contemplated by the current rating criteria and thus denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's granuloma faciale is granted as incurred in service, and the claim for PTSD is denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to his service or any incident therein, and it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected chest shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases regarding whether VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran with the development of the claim on appeal. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the appropriate authorization form and attempt to obtain any available and relevant records from Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private emergency transportation services provided by Pasco Fire and Rescue on December 2, 2014 was denied due to untimely filing.

The Board found that the appellant is not a helpless child on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18 years and denied her claim for death pension benefits.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the bilateral feet is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted prior to July 9, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the previously denied determination that the decedent did not meet the basic eligibility as a veteran for VA death benefits, but found no service in the United States Armed Forces and therefore denies the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, claimed as mycosis fungoides, is granted based on presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. His claim for an increased rating for venous insufficiency of the right leg remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with valvulopathy and status post heart transplantation. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for OCD, finding that the claim was received on September 21, 1977. The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was filed in September 1977 and he did not file any claims or communications prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left front tooth condition, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records related to his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability causes mild right upper extremity radiculopathy, which is considered a secondary condition to her service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted service connection for the right upper extremity radiculopathy.