Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's prostate condition is being remanded for additional medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension. The issue of service connection due to exposure to herbicides and/or as secondary to service-connected disabilities remains on appeal.

The Veteran's right thumb disability was rated at 10 percent from May 27, 1980 to September 23, 1990 and is now rated at 20 percent.,Since September 24, 1990, the Veteran's right thumb disability warrants a rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's left thumb arthritis associated with his right thumb disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's disease was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim for a temporary total rating due to hospitalization for Hodgkin's disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's enlarged prostate is not related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining documents related to a child support warrant and clarifying the amount of the overpayment debt.

The Veteran's appeal of the TDIU issue is being remanded due to inextricability with other pending claims for increased evaluations. The issues of increased ratings for rhabdomyolysis and hidradenitis suppurativa are also on hold until resolved.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right lung condition (also claimed as a diaphragm disorder) that allegedly resulted from VA-provided medical care in 1990 and 1996. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature of any current right lung or diaphragm disorder, its relationship to procedures performed as a result of VA referral, and whether it is related to events not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for postoperative bilateral pterygia was denied as there is no evidence of compensable visual impairment or other symptoms related to the condition.

The Veteran's otitis externa is rated at a maximum of 10 percent throughout the claims period, while his claim for service connection for a respiratory disability remains pending and in a 'mixed' disposition (some issues granted, some not).

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of a current diagnosis of prostatitis following service, and thus the claim for service connection for prostatitis, to include as due to exposure to herbicides, is denied.

The Veteran's incisional hernia and right great toe disability were not found to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, or fault. The Veteran's metatarsalgia was rated at the highest possible level.

The Veteran's service connection for BPH was not properly severed, and he is entitled to a higher initial rating for BPH as of August 7, 2009. His GERD remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's chronic otitis externa is not characterized by swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment. Therefore, a compensable rating for the condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injury due to incomplete development and need for an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation and/or herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's residuals from status-post removal of venereal warts are currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher. The condition is manifested by sensitivity/pain and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that no statement of the case has been provided on this issue, and thus the appeal is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's pelvic and left thigh pain, which was previously addressed by a VA medical examination that did not focus on the left hip.

The Board has denied both service connection for the Veteran's spinal disorder and secondary service connection for numbness of the bilateral legs due to a spinal injury as there is no established service-connected disability upon which these claims can be based.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, and coronary ischemia. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.