Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for VA educational assistance benefits under VRAP for training at SCROC is denied as he did not enroll in a VA-approved VRAP facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hairy cell leukemia and Burkitt's lymphoma are related to his service, including exposure to chemicals like benzene in aviation fuel. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current gastric ulcer disability is not etiologically related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Appellant's incapacity to self-support at age 18.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability (ventral hernia, infection, and pneumonia) was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The complications were known risks of the surgery.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new medical records received by VA in June 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left foot stress fracture has been rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2012. The right ankle sprain with plantar fasciitis postoperative (right foot disability) was also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for a skin disability as due to an undiagnosed illness and exposure to hazardous materials.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service. The VA medical opinions found no relationship between any current eye disabilities and his in-service chemical burns.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disability was not caused by an in-service injury or event, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for ulcers and is pending his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right shoulder surgery residuals and service connection for a heart attack as secondary to right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of herniated nucleus pulposus meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the collective lay and medical evidence on the question of whether the Veteran's service-connected disability prevents from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment is in relative equipoise. The Board resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed genitourinary and gastrointestinal disabilities, including considering private treatment records and a personal assault in service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment on June 16, 2011 are granted as the condition was of such a nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health and a VA facility/provider was not feasibly available.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and as a result, there is no jurisdiction to review the claim.

The Veteran's right long finger and left ring finger disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 10 percent each, based on painful motion.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is moot because he has a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected glomerulonephritis, which covers the entire period of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic neuropathic spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling effective March 10, 2015. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 10 percent prior to March 10, 2015, and remain at that level after the date of increased rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disability is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.