Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's herpes clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated during his period of active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for herpes is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye condition is not related to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, to include as due to toxic herbicide exposure, was denied because the evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and either service or toxic herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there were insufficient VA examination reports to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disability.

The Board determined that the appellant's discharge from service between May 12, 2003 and October 7, 2008 was under conditions other than dishonorable, thus not a bar to VA benefits. However, his discharge from October 8, 2008 to May 11, 2009 was due to willful and persistent misconduct and is considered under dishonorable conditions, making it a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's income and expenses, as well as potential issues with the August 2012 statement of the case. The appeal is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided regarding the Veteran's right eye and testicular disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right eye exotropia was denied in August 2005. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his claims, but he filed a new claim on March 29, 2011, which led to the award of service connection with an effective date of April 5, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for residuals of right hip injury, left hip injury, and head injury are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left hand disability due to Buerger's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon was rated at 100 percent effective March 26, 2013.,Separate ratings of 40 percent were assigned for Buerger's disease of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye cataract has been rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his visual acuity and field of vision did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's disability manifested by fatigue of the arms and legs is not service-connected as it is not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicide agents or mustard gas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for the left hip DJD was not granted as it is not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a hernia is being remanded due to the failure to consider it in the previous decision. The Board will schedule an examination and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer was found to have mild symptoms that occurred once or twice a year, and was largely controlled by medications. The Board determined the current rating of 10% is appropriate.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the TDIU claim due to the Veteran not completing and returning a VA Form 21-8940 in connection with the appeal, which was requested by the AOJ. As a result, there are no allegations of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a travel board hearing at the Detroit RO and notifying the appellant of the date and time of the hearing.