Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left trapezius muscle injury, but denied any increase in rating for his scars. The muscle injury is currently evaluated as moderate.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is granted as service connection was established based on direct evidence of a current disability and in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for costochondral syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the thoracic spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, its incurrence or aggravation cannot be presumed, and it is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. Effective dates for various awards of service connection are also determined to be inappropriate.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for narcolepsy is granted, as there are in-service complaints and a post-service diagnosis of narcolepsy. The appeal for PTSD rating was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hand disability, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination and his claims will be re-adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits for his period of service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for the issues related to right sacroiliac joint arthritis, left sacroiliac joint arthritis, right talocalcaneal joint arthritic changes, and left talocalcaneal joint arthritic changes.

The Veteran's cancer of the colon and rectum was not shown to be related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found that presumptive service connection for this condition is not warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify as a 'surviving spouse' for purposes of establishing VA death pension benefits.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and provide an advisory opinion regarding the potential cause(s) of the Veteran's MDS and cause of death (pneumonia).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute lymphocytic leukemia, claimed as due to exposure to radiation, was denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. She also needs a VA examination to assess her bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease with mild spinal stenosis (claimed as dislocated disc) and secondary service connection for right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple myeloma is service-connected due to exposure during his service in the Gulf War, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disorder, specifically addressing prior diagnoses such as bibasilar atelectasis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left forearm limitation of extension prior to May 21, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any time during the appeal period. For the period from May 21, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's claim remains pending as his left forearm is already rated at 10 percent under DC 5207.

The Board has granted service connection for axillary residual fungus, bilateral foot fungus, and blepharospasm secondary to PTSD. Service connection was denied for hyperglycemic induced index myopia (refractive error) as well as an eye disability other than blepharospasm.