Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected hypesthesia of the left and right cranial nerves are not rated higher than 10 percent, and his limited motion of the temporomandibular joint is not rated higher than 30 percent prior to April 24, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic back sprain and spasm, as well as chronic atrial fibrillation secondary to hypertension, are granted. The rating for hypertension is increased from April 27, 2018, to a 10 percent level.

The Board denied service connection for a genitourinary disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient development and referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to the propriety of reducing his disability rating for laryngeal cancer and whether he should be granted a TDIU. These matters are being remanded due to potential impact on other decisions.

The Board has ordered the VA to review if the overpayment of $54,829.00 was properly created due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security disability benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease and limited flexion, effective February 5, 2013. The Veteran's counsel indicated an intent to claim these conditions secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted, and the effective date is set at May 19, 1988.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the earliest date VA received her claim was April 20, 2015. The Board noted that she did not file a formal application for DIC benefits until April 2015 and found no basis to assign an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for uterine fibroids and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service or service-connected urinary tract infections. The Board also determined that she did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a health care provider.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral stress fractures of legs, finding that there is no current residual disability related to in-service bilateral stress fractures.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy as it was not present during or related to service.

The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to the housing allowance for the period of June 25, 2012 to September 15, 2012 and thus created an overpayment. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a neurological disorder, claimed as secondary to his PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2016 VA examination. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed conversion disorder and/or muscle tremors related to his PTSD.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if VA provided prior authorization under 38 U.S.C. § 1703(a) for the Veteran's non-VA hospitalization at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on February 19, 2014 and whether she should be reimbursed for unauthorized medical expenses incurred.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right leg varicose veins are related to her service, including any in-service physical exertion and pregnancy. The examiner is also asked to determine if the condition began during active service or was aggravated by a pre-existing disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a decision on his right foot condition. The AOJ must also adjudicate his TDIU claim in conjunction with the right foot condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharynx carcinoma, but remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine their etiology.