Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome was found to be manifested by at worst, moderate paralysis of the ulnar nerve. The Board determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for left cubital tunnel syndrome has not been met from January 28, 2011 onwards.

The Veteran's cause of death, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), is not considered to be service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and there is no evidence that the CJD had its onset during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's CJD was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for histoplasmosis of the right lung, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant such a rating based on his intermittent dyspnea and non-productive coughing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disorders, including cataracts and dry eye syndrome, were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spouse did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces during World War II. Therefore, the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA death benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a final pathology report of the surgical specimen related to the Veteran's C5 schwannoma. The appeal is pending and will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding that his condition did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service and was not shown to have had an onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CLL due to herbicide exposure is being remanded. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a medical opinion regarding his lung disorder and the need to issue a statement of the case (SOC) for the GERD claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery were denied. The Board found that the criteria for these claims were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory condition is related to his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current first degree atrioventricular block is a disability related to his in-service atrial fibrillation, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his associated incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in the left leg is also rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his in-service automobile accident, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma related disorder, has been granted. However, as the grant of this claim means that your appeal is moot, we are dismissing your case.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia, status post herniorrhaphy with residual scar is rated at 10 percent under the old rating criteria for scars. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unstable or painful scars.

The Veteran's right arm disability is determined to be a result of nerve damage caused by the September and October 2003 VA surgeries, which was not due to negligence or fault on the part of VA. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aplastic anemia, which caused his death in July 2003, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for the cause of his death is granted.