Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting allergies to grass, weeds, and dust were not aggravated by active service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to failure to follow its previous directives, and a supplemental statement of the case should be provided.

The Veteran's recurrent vaginitis/vaginosis is service-connected and the Board finds that it has remained chronic and intermittent since service. The Veteran also has GERD, which is well controlled with medication but does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Other issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's Basal cell carcinoma did not originate in service or within a year of service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and the only medical opinion to address the etiology weighed against the claim.

The Veteran's spouse was assigned a special apportionment of the Veteran's benefits in the amount of $1162 per month. The appellant argues for an increase, but the Board finds no criteria met to warrant such an increase.

The Veteran's skin disability, toenail onychomycosis, is currently rated at 0 percent under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected gastritis, finding that his condition is manifested by intercurrent episodes of abdominal pain at least once a month partially or completely relieved by ulcer therapy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hand disability or stomach ulcers during his period of service and therefore, he cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as anterior cruciate ligament tear with osteotomy, was found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 8, 2016.

The Veteran's fibrous ankylosis of the left little finger is rated at 10 percent, and he is granted a separate compensable rating for decreased grip strength. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating for varicose veins of the left lower extremity status-post venous stripping with residual pain has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's dysthymia has been rated at 50 percent since May 12, 1986 and granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia and its precursor condition, myelodysplasia, were related to his military service due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychotic disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, preexisted his third period of active service and was aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, and thus denies his claim of service connection for vision impairment.

The Board found that the apportionment of the appellant's VA DIC benefits on behalf of her minor child was improper, and thus granted the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring complete compliance with the directives of this remand. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after any necessary development.