Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hysterectomy is not related to her military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current bilateral lower leg disorders (other than residuals of stress fractures of the right leg).

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach cancer and postgastrectomy dumping syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by his service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection based on his service-connected peptic ulcer disease.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to procedural issues and missing VA Form 21-8940. The Veteran submitted a completed form with additional evidence, which requires further adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition, including chipped and cracked root following root canal and shifting teeth, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his service history and potential bone loss.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran's death was caused by colon cancer, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The examiner must assess the medical evidence and provide a new opinion on causation.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at 20 percent disabling, effective October 15, 2013. The Veteran's onychodystrophy was rated as 60 percent prior to October 15, 2013 and 10 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle tremors has been denied as there is no objective evidence of a compensable level of disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bicipital tendon tear with bicep muscle injury is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) does not render him unemployable, as his disability is rated at 20 percent and the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is not solely due to his service-connected post-phlebitis syndrome, but also due to nonservice-connected disabilities. Therefore, he does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected esophageal cancer, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service. The claim for cause of death is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from VA medical centers and the Federal Records Center. The Appellant's spouse served during active duty, passed away while still enlisted, and the appeal involves several issues related to benefits.

The Veteran's lung disorder is presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current lung disorder is etiologically related to service or his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for gunshot wound residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's colon cancer is not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was also denied due to a lack of actual causation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability and that it is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right hand and fingers, as well as his left hand and fingers, do not warrant an extraschedular rating based on their symptomatology being adequately reflected by the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate condition, hair loss, gastrointestinal problems, and joint pain are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as attempting to obtain vocational rehabilitation records. The Appellant's claim for increased monthly allowance under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for a child born with spina bifida will be readjudicated following this.