Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for service-connected epidermoid cysts were denied. The Board found that the June 1995 decision granting initial noncompensable ratings was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and the current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The appellant does not meet the criteria for educational assistance eligibility under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder of depressive type is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran is found unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder of depressive type.

The Veteran's cause of death, lung cancer, is not considered service-connected as it is not related to his active military service or any in-service exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that she did not submit new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the issue.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge was dishonorable for VA purposes and is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time he committed the offense leading up to his other than honorable discharge.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's countable income exceeds the maximum limit allowed for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and therefore denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alopecia areata, which caused total or near-total hair loss on several areas of his body including arms, back, top of head, and lower legs, as well as hair loss on scalp and face, warrants an initial 10 percent disability rating for the entire initial rating period from February 21, 2008.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the appellant's service-connected peptic ulcer, status post partial gastrectomy and whether he has experienced weight loss during the period on appeal. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a neck injury are rated at 20 percent since July 11, 2016. The Board found that the disability picture prior to this date met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myositis paravertebral muscles and left gluteus medius, collectively rated at 70 percent, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and clarifying if the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The other service connection claims are also being deferred as they are intertwined with this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a disability characterized by an irregular heartbeat and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a fractured large toe of the left foot are currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 10, 2017. The Board found that this rating is appropriate based on moderate impairment due to pain and functional limitations.