Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disability alone is not severe enough to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, given his education and work experience.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing with representation from the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's service connection for a genitourinary disorder including chronic cystitis and chronic prostatitis is granted. The effective date of the award remains to be determined as it pertains to another issue.

The case is being remanded for further development due to unsuccessful efforts in obtaining investigative and/or prosecutorial records from Tipton County Sheriff's Office and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The appellant will be notified of the unsuccessful attempts to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right hand disabilities, including Dupuytren's contracture, Boutonnière deformity of the small finger (central slip injury), and right hand arthritis, did not have their onset during active military service. The current diagnoses are considered to be more likely related to post-service occupational activities rather than service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing duodenal ulcer disease clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, but was aggravated by service. The condition is now considered incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining whether the appellant is a valid claimant and whether I.M.'s discharge from service was upgraded. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claim for VA educational assistance for the periods from September 1-29, 2013, and from November 24, 2013 to January 5, 2014 is denied as there exists no legal authority for the payment of education benefits during these intervals.

The Board is remanding the case for further clarification regarding the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically addressing his exposure to ionizing radiation and its relation to myasthenia gravis. The case will be adjudicated again after receiving an opinion from the Under Secretary of Benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a GI disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.,Service connection was denied for neurological impairment of the lower extremities as there is no established link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has determined that the appeal must be remanded to address the validity of the overpayment and its calculation, as well as any other relevant issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the extent of the Veteran's scars and their characteristics.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dental implants and a cracked tooth has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a comprehensive VA examination and review of his claims, including service connection for a chronic psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's glomerulonephritis did not meet or exceed the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 18, 2012, and denied entitlement to a 60 percent rating beginning September 18, 2012. The appeal was dismissed as the issues were not in appellate status.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hand disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.