Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection for uterine fibroids and subsequent hysterectomy is granted. However, the claim for secondary service connection for chest pain to include as secondary to GERD and IBS is denied.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have qualifying service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and thus is not a veteran for purposes of VA disability benefits.

The Veteran's abdominal pain, fatigue, sleep disorder (parasomnia), and cardiovascular disorder are presumed to be related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations due to undiagnosed illness. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for multiple cysts, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7819 and 7806 due to lack of systemic therapy or skin involvement.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current left eye disorder is related to his service, including an in-service injury. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a nasal disability, claimed as loss of the sense of smell. The new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening the claim. However, the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the current condition is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has assigned a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left elbow injury, effective from August 1, 2011. This is based on painful motion due to arthritis.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent for the period prior to April 7, 2016. The Board found that his symptoms of marked limitation of motion warranted this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's fallen arches were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected shin splints, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bayonet wound substantially contributed to his hypostatic pneumonia and subsequent death, which was the immediate cause of death. The Board finds that this opinion is highly probative as it was rendered by a board certified cardiologist.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issue of service connection for Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer was productive of moderate symptoms from December 23, 2002. From December 24, 2003, the disability was rated at 20 percent due to moderate symptoms with manifestations of mild anemia (from 2010), vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including supplemental opinions regarding his foot condition and erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiac disorder was not linked to an in-service incurrence or aggravation, and did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The skin condition claim is pending as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his in-service asbestos exposure or service-connected pleural scarring and his current condition.

The Veteran's T8 compression fracture resulted in full range of motion and no significant functional impairment, warranting an initial 10% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's signed consent form for his March 2006 cervical spine surgery and providing an addendum opinion from a different examiner to address whether any additional disability is due to VA care or events not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity vasculitis, bilateral hand vasculitis, or nausea related to service. The claim for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout of the right shoulder is denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking his symptoms to service.