Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his left and right hand disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for either disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran had an honorable discharge from February 3, 1954 to December 12, 1954. His period of service from December 13, 1954 to January 1, 1957 was marked by an undesirable discharge and is considered dishonorable.

The Veteran's child, E., was entitled to an earlier effective date for VA disability compensation based on additional allowance for a dependent child due to school attendance. The Board found that the Veteran put VA on notice of his claim in February 2013 and benefits were granted effective August 1, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right fifth metacarpal fracture.

The Veteran's death was not covered for an increased amount of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) because the appellant did not meet the eight-year marriage requirement immediately preceding his death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a right leg disorder should be remanded due to incomplete examination and opinion provided in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of an original or reopened claim for compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The appeal is denied as there are no legal grounds to award burial benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a brown recluse spider bite as there is no current diagnosis for such condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's polycythemia vera, specifically whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or benzene.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer has been rated at 50 percent since November 16, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU due to this disability.

The Veteran's pension claim is denied because he did not serve 90 days or more during a period of war, and thus does not meet the eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for bone cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation is not complete and requires additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has decided that more information is needed about the Veteran's reserve service to determine if his atrial fibrillation may be related to his military service. The case will be sent back for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure and service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental trauma, claimed as a chipped/fractured upper front teeth, is denied. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental trauma to teeth 8 and 9 for VA outpatient dental treatment is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints are not productive of any residuals, knee or ankle impairment, or any functional impairment. As a result, the claim for initial compensable ratings is denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further consideration of whether the overpayment was properly created and if it should be waived. The Veteran's financial status report submitted in July 2018 is yet to be considered.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left leg condition may be related to his service-connected right femur impairment, but needs further examination and opinion from a VA physician.