Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for his service-connected dry eyes, status post lacrimal tube implant, effective January 9, 2009. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hallux valgus of the left and right feet have been rated as 10 percent disabling since August 2006. The appeal is granted for a higher initial evaluation for the left foot, but not for the right foot.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splint disability is rated at 10 percent for each leg, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The appellant withdrew her appeal regarding the proceeds of the Veteran's NSLI policy, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder is at least as likely as not related to her active service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right foot metatarsal-tarsal fracture and dislocation is rated at 30 percent since January 16, 2007. The stricture of urethra has been rated at 20 percent from January 16, 2007, to September 3, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent since September 4, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is causally related to his condition.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma status post left upper lobectomy contributed to his death, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 4, 2012 for service connection of his lymphoma and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service personnel and medical records. The appellant is advised to provide any relevant treatment records.

The appellant is not eligible for accrued benefits as she does not qualify as a child under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 15, 2007 for the award of service connection for status post right total hip arthroplasty.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left hip disorder, which he contends is related to his military duties. The VA examiner found that the current left hip disorder may be related to in-service injuries and repetitive motion of squatting and lifting heavy objects.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right eye injury manifested by lagophthalmos and reported numbness, but he does have service-connected dry eye. The claim for dry eye is granted.

The Board has decided that the appellant's income exceeds the maximum allowable pension rate, and thus she is not entitled to nonservice-connected death pension. The case is being remanded for further review of her income and any unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the appellant's claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining missing records from the Veteran's claims file and St. Clara's Orphanage.

The appellant is not eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, death pension, or accrued benefits as a surviving spouse because she was legally divorced from the Veteran at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals in his feet were granted, effective August 14, 2003.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for treatment at a VA Medical Center that included chemotherapy and removal of part of his stomach, resulting in additional disability such as severe pain, fatigue, and loss of weight. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran has confirmed pancreatic cancer and any residual disabilities from the treatment.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection for neck cancer, as there is no new diagnosis or medical nexus provided.