Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is no current disability for either the Veteran's right or left foot, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for muscle pain and joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness, based on the Veteran's Gulf War service. The weight loss condition is denied.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the bilateral great toes, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes was rated as noncompensable prior to March 28, 2014. The Board granted a 10 percent rating for this condition from August 5, 2009 to March 28, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical etiology opinion as the previous one was inadequate and based on an inaccurate factual premise.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report, and will re-adjudicate the claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal due to a lapse in Congressional authorization for VRAP payments.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and reviewed, including those from home health care providers and VA treatment facilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of establishing eligibility for payment of DIC and death pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right eye disability, diagnosed as cataracts, is not at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to hot shells and gunpowder from M-16s. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorders, including basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, are at least as likely as not related to his service exposure to sunlight during active duty.

The Board found no evidence of a myeloproliferative disorder, right foot gout, or protein in urine related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's application for flight training educational assistance under Chapter 30 of the Montgomery GI Bill was denied because he did not hold a valid medical certificate on the first day of his course.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ovarian cancer was not present during service and is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for ovarian cancer is denied.

The Veteran's left upper extremity muscle group injury, including a supracondylar fracture of the humerus from a gunshot wound, is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5305 and 5306. The current rating reflects severe residuals for Muscle Group V (elbow supination) and moderate residuals for Muscle Group VI (extension of the elbow).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sinus condition, finding no current disability and noting that there is no evidence of a sinus disorder after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinion and requires additional development.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's character of discharge is not a bar to VA benefits, as his other than honorable discharge was not under dishonorable conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination for his bilateral heel spurs and right hand disability.

The Veteran's herpes simplex is evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing more than 5% of his body or exposed areas affected, and intermittent systemic therapy not required.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).