Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder has been rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2004. The Board will consider whether a higher rating is warranted for the initial period prior to August 15, 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the rating for antiphospholipid syndrome with left leg venous thrombosis and history of pulmonary embolism, thus the Board dismisses this matter.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, resulting in a denial.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a personality disorder, finding that it is not a disease or injury eligible for VA compensation and thus cannot be granted. The claim was reopened based on new evidence related to aggravation by a service-connected condition (TBI), but the medical opinion concluded there was no additional disability due to the TBI.

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 found that the appellant's spouse was discharged under other than honorable conditions, which bars VA benefits. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence to reopen the claim and the character of discharge remains dishonorable.

The Veteran's left thumb and index finger disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective October 21, 2008.,Effective October 21, 2008, the Veteran was granted service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion, as well as to associate all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Veteran is granted compensation for residuals of right hand surgery, including Dupuytren's contracture and arthrofibrosis, as the condition was a complication of VA surgical treatment without informed consent.

The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of each lower extremity has been rated at 60 percent since December 19, 2011. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and related disorders were denied. The cancer is not considered a disease associated with herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to active service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim regarding his character of discharge and found that new evidence supports this. However, the case is being remanded to consider whether a valid legal defense exists for the appellant's AWOL status due to cultural background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for clarification regarding the extent to which the September 2008 VA examination report addressed secondary aggravation of the Veteran's upper-GI disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's involvement in a fraudulent scheme at RMTU, where he received full VA educational benefits but did not attend classes regularly, invalidated his overpayment of $13,080.80.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's colorectal cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for residuals of colorectal cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected voiding dysfunction, which manifested as frequent urination (up to five times per night) but did not require the use of an appliance or absorbent materials, resulted in a finding that he did not meet criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 9, 2012, and from that date until now it does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any current eye disability, including whether it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for genital herpes was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an award of a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.