Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has denied service connection for an eye condition as it is not related to the Veteran's active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's annual countable income has exceeded the maximum annual pension rates (MAPRs) for the period on appeal based on his Social Security income, and therefore he is not entitled to nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the appellant did not pay for the burial expenses. The Board denied the claim for VA burial benefits as she does not have legal standing.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an effective date earlier than October 22, 2013, for the grant of DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed as there was no indication that the appellant submitted a claim prior to October 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for DJD of the bilateral thumbs and hands prior to June 4, 2014 was denied. The Board found that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for this period. For the period after June 4, 2014, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5003 or 5228. The reduction from 20% to 10% was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic peroneal tendinitis of the left foot is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) in all four extremities based on the Veteran's in-service trauma and subsequent medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bowel condition is service-connected, with the opinion being in favor of a link between his in-service radiation treatment and his current bowel condition.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his acute myelogenous leukemia to service or any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits as the Decedent's service did not satisfy the criteria for basic eligibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, to include diverticulitis, diverticulosis and colonic polyp is not related to his service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's bilateral meralgia paresthetica is not related to his service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disability and back pain are not service connected, with no credible evidence of their onset during active service or causation related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current liver disorder caused or aggravated by military service or her service-connected disabilities, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA neurologist or rheumatologist regarding whether the Veteran currently has TMJ syndrome and, if so, whether it is related to service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right arm muscle group VIII.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral dermatophytosis pedis has affected less than 5 percent of his total body area and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy during the past 12-month period. As a result, he is not entitled to a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's death was caused by a pulmonary embolus due to thrombosis of deep veins of the leg. The appellant is seeking compensation for this cause of death, as well as service connection and accrued benefits for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hip condition, including whether it is related to his service-connected Freiberg's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in August 2017, and as such, his claim is denied due to failure to report.