Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen a service connection claim for a cardiovascular disability was granted. Entitlement to service connection for atrial fibrillation is also granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's cause of death is determined to be due to service-connected cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, which are presumed based on exposure to herbicides. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is dismissed as the Veteran had no pending claims at the time of his death. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity stress fracture is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for any pain and functional loss due to flare-ups. The disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cranial nerve damage with diplopia is now rated at 30 percent effective November 3, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records related to stress tests administered in 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for determining the etiology of any current bilateral eye condition, including allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of recognition as a surviving spouse for purposes of death and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits due to lack of continuous cohabitation with the Veteran in West Virginia, where he resided after May 2010.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hammertoe was denied. The Board found that the disability is manifested by pain and swelling, requiring medication; X-ray evidence indicates arthritis affecting two minor joint groups; surgical scars are not painful or unstable.

The Board denied service connection for B-cell lymphoma, conjunctival lymphoma, and meningioma due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's conditions were not shown by competent medical or lay evidence to be etiologically related to her active service.

The Veteran's loss of smell, which was previously service-connected and rated as noncompensable, is now granted a 10 percent disability rating effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the removal of dependency allowance for his son P.G.M. effective January 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD and asthma, has been reopened. The appeal is granted on this issue. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for deep vein thrombosis was denied as the evidence did not show that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemiparesis of the right upper and lower extremities were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were described as mild by the most recent examiner.,The appellant was ineligible to substitute in the claims for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, specially adapted housing, and special home adaptation grant due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied accrued benefits to the appellant's mother as there was no valid pending claim at her death and the appellant did not meet the statutory criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and SMC based on blindness of the left eye was denied. The effective date for service connection remains October 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response from the VA examiner regarding the precise nature of the Veteran's right fifth digit deformity and its relation to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected vitiligo is denied. The Board also remands the issue of whether abnormal skin growths on his nose and lower lip are secondary to his service-connected vitiligo.

The Veteran's appeal for left lower extremity peripheral edema, which is secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease, has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.