Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran does not have a current medical diagnosis for blurry vision and the Board finds that his claim for service connection for an eye disability, claimed as blurry vision, is denied.

The Veteran's death resulted in accrued benefits being paid to the appellant. The total amount due was $15,113.00, which has now been fully paid.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an esophageal disability was granted with an effective date of September 26, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The issues include seeking service connection for throat condition (previously claimed as neck condition) and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for ear, mouth, nose, and/or throat disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip DJD and arthroplasty, finding that his current disability is due to an injury sustained during his period of service.

The Board has denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that the evidence submitted since the October 1986 decision is duplicative and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current bilateral hand DJD is related to service or any event of service, manifested within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for a right foot injury, and thus the case has been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussion syndrome has worsened, and a new examination is required to assess the current severity of his disability. Updated VA treatment records should also be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right leg disorder, including his current musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found no service connection for Hughes syndrome, also claimed as a blood disorder with heart complications and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence but the Board determined that this condition is not related to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity disability, diagnosed as iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) and mild degenerative joint disease (DJD), is service-connected. However, there is no current evidence of a left foot condition other than the service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right hip strain was denied. He is currently in receipt of a combined 20 percent evaluation for his service-connected right hip strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that there is no nexus between his current disability and his in-service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge was 'other than honorable' due to his unauthorized use of marijuana and multiple instances of unauthorized absence during his second period of service. The Board concluded this constituted a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ must consider whether the Veteran can obtain substantial and gainful employment, and whether referral is warranted for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board found that the nerve disorder of the face is not shown to have manifested in service or for years thereafter and is not shown to be the result of or aggravated by service-connected prostate cancer and radiation treatment. The only medical opinions addressing the etiology of the nerve disorder of the face weigh against the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left sternoclavicular strain is related to his service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.