Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right heel disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but no higher. The left hip stress fracture does not have a current diagnosis.,Service connection for the right tibial stress fracture, right knee condition, and right hip condition cannot be established due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's widow applied for HISA benefits to cover the cost of installing a walk-in tub. The application was incomplete and did not meet all requirements, including having a prescription from a VA physician. As a result, the claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU. The issue of service connection for hypogammaglobulemia remains pending as the Board finds that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied by the Board, as VA bears some but not total fault in creating the debt. The remaining overpayment amount is deemed to be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy and whether he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left hand. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to obtain VA treatment records from 1966 to 1972 and since February 2016.

The Veteran does not have a left arm disorder related to service and the Board finds that her current left arm lipoma residuals are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for stuttering, finding that it is a developmental defect and not subject to or aggravated by a superimposed disease or injury during her period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion and completing the VA Form 21-8940 to provide information about his work history during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including a VA examination of his knees and obtaining updated treatment records. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the increased rating claims are resolved or prepared for appellate consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for grinding of teeth, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his service and/or PTSD. The sleep disorder issue remains pending due to lack of a sleep study.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected residuals of a left middle finger injury is granted, with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination addressing his symptoms related to his service-connected appendectomy scar, including loss of appetite and recurrent infection. The RO should also attempt to obtain private medical records he mentioned during the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for narcolepsy and service connection for a bilateral foot disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Veteran died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was not shown to be related to his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected right big toe nerve damage.

The Veteran's ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment and associated symptoms have been rated as moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10% evaluation. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by scleroderma, which the Board finds could have been service-connected at the time of his death. The Board also found that scleroderma substantially contributed to or materially hastened the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the appellant's net worth is no longer a bar to entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance, given her rapid rate of spending down her resources.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left or right hand disability, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.