Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify and provide detailed accounting of the Veteran's countable income, including unreimbursed medical expenses, and to determine any overpayment for non-service connected pension payments.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's jaw disorder is service-connected. The VA will need to obtain any relevant treatment records from June 2016 onwards.

The Board denied service connection for celiac disease as the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his period of active service.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Veteran requests a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for a residual scar on the abdominal wall is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the record to determine whether the Veteran's symptoms of dizziness are a chronic disability pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, especially considering his complaints/symptoms of dizziness prior to the use of medication Trazodone.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left thigh and hypoesthesia of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition and left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cyst affecting the spine and syringohydromyelia of the spine is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports the establishment of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to procedural issues and missing records. The main issue is determining whether the Appellant can be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse, including entitlement to VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a bilateral ear condition, including itchiness and infections, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has decided that there may be outstanding VA treatment records and needs to obtain them. The examiner must determine if the right leg fractures are related to service, specifically during active duty from July 1972 to July 1976.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical evidence requested by a VA gastroenterologist in his May 2017 opinion. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, but without the requested medical records, the Board cannot make a determination.

The Veteran's cerebral arteriosclerosis and thrombosis with amnesia and unspecified neurocognitive disorder were rated at 10 percent prior to July 7, 2017. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a compensable rating for loss of smell due to Parkinson's disease and for ratings in excess of 10 percent for irritable colon syndrome, erectile dysfunction (ED), neurogenic bladder, loss of automatic movements, difficulty chewing, speech change, bradykinesia, tremors, and muscle rigidity of the upper extremities, and muscle rigidity and stiffness of the lower extremities. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a separate rating for stooped posture.

The Veteran's mechanical upper back syndrome resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, with slight impairment and no showing of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 10, 2014 are not met.

The appeal for service connection of the veteran's urethral stricture has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for payment of Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as the effective date selected by the Appellant exceeds the eligibility period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for the residuals of tonsil cancer is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of alternate diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right middle finger disorder and ADHD due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.