Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a remand due to missing documents in the appellant's claims file, including his DD Form 214 and military personnel file. The appeal will be returned to the RO for appropriate action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for squamous cell skin carcinoma is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diverticulosis is not related to his service, including an anal fissure sustained in service. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and any event or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board hearing, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, including as a result of herbicide exposure during service, is denied. The Board found no evidence of the disease during or within one year after service and there was no medical nexus linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left hip disability was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to October 26, 2015.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and sleep study to determine the existence and etiology of any current diagnosis of a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and UARS. The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to conflicting evidence in the claims file regarding his respiratory disability.

The Veteran's prostatitis residuals are rated at 20 percent, and his left third metacarpal fracture with associated symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for hallux valgus of the right and left feet have been granted. The RO also granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral foot hallux valgus from January 6, 2014.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of the overpayment debt, finding that recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's residuals of extensive laceration dorsum right hand are rated at 40 percent, the highest possible under DC 5307.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease as there is no evidence of current disability or residuals thereof, and the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye conditions (amblyopia and astigmatism) are developmental defects that were not aggravated during service by superimposed disease or injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle and joint pain, finding that there is no additional disability attributable to service or otherwise contemplated as a compensable disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, status post coronary bypass graft times five was rated at 30 percent prior to July 6, 2015; and in excess of 60 percent from September 8, 2016, until June 1, 2017; and in excess of 30 percent beginning June 1, 2017.,Beginning July 6, 2015, the Veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was rated at 100 percent.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, finding that she did not meet the requirements to be considered a valid common-law marriage despite living with the Veteran after their divorce.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether his current psychiatric diagnoses are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder dislocation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot residuals initially began during service and have been recurrent since, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins were not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of acute left ear otitis media and back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also found that congenital spinal stenosis is not considered a disease for which service connection may be granted.