Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his chronic gastritis with duodenal ulcer was denied as there is no evidence of moderate severity symptoms such as recurring episodes of severe symptoms two or three times a year averaging 10 days in duration, or continuous moderate manifestations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, which she attributes to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis began in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding herbicide exposure and whether the Veteran stepped foot in Vietnam. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's spastic colon, status post colon resection for adenocarcinoma is rated at 40 percent effective August 1, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a granuloma of the right middle lobe of the lung is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The Board will seek additional treatment records from KentuckyOne Jewish Hospital and the Louisville VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome was manifested by intermittent numbness and paresthesias without paralysis of the ulnar nerve prior to March 11, 2015.,As of March 11, 2015, the Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome was manifested at worst by mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's obstructive airway disease is being evaluated to determine if it is related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis or if it permanently worsened due to that condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification from Colorado Technical University regarding the start and end dates of all quarters in the 2015-2016 academic year. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits are not to be apportioned for the benefit of B.L., as he is not considered a dependent child for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as bursitis, impingement syndrome, and degenerative changes of the humerus at rotator cuff insertion, is related to active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, resulting in a bad conduct discharge. As such, his character of discharge bars him from VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected ventral hernia is rated at 20 percent since September 2, 2007. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about a lack of complete records, particularly regarding medical treatment and private treatment records submitted in August 2014. The appellant is requested to provide any additional information or evidence she may have.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for development and readjudication due to inadequate discussion of material evidence in determining whether the Veteran has a current disability or persistent and recurrent symptoms of disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for right hand nerve damage, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been rated at 50 percent since March 28, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 9440 and denied an increased rating. For TDIU, the evidence does not show total disability due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's surviving spouse from receiving non-service-connected death pension benefits and accrued benefits as her claims are not legally valid due to her divorce prior to his death and filing of her claim beyond one year after his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis, which was listed as a significant condition contributing to his death. The cause of death is also considered due to service-connected conditions.