Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected perforation of the tympanic membrane, left, healed was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Appellant's deceased spouse's service as a guerilla in the Philippines during World War II.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 19, 2013 for increased compensation based on additional dependents (his child and spouse) was denied because the necessary information was not provided until after a year had passed from his remarriage and the birth of his child.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, and a remand is necessary for further development regarding this issue. Additionally, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if any of the Veteran’s conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a right corneal opacity, finding that it resulted from an in-service injury. The Veteran's other eye conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for residuals of a fractured nose is denied as there was no evidence showing the condition increased in severity within one year prior to his August 2015 claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to a simultaneous contested claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse. The Appellant and another party must be notified of the action taken, and relevant SSA and court records must be obtained.

The Board's decision on the claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund (FVEC) is being remanded due to inadequate assistance provided by VA in verifying the Appellant’s service as a recognized guerilla.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizoaffective disorder is dismissed because it was not filed as a clear and unmistakable error claim, but rather as a free-standing claim.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation was first diagnosed during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from January 9, 2012 to February 3, 2012. The Board found this period qualified as ACDUTRA and granted service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant can be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to their legal marriage and continuous cohabitation.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, depressed type was not found to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 70 percent. The effective date of service connection for this condition is set at April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10 percent rating for dermatophytosis prior to August 24, 2016 was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 60 percent for dermatophytosis after August 24, 2016 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic and recurrent postural back sprain is remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination to assess the range of motion, including pain and limitation on active and passive motion.

The Veteran's loss of teeth was not due to trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis during service, and the Board denied service connection for compensation purposes.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for VA death benefits as a surviving spouse due to conflicting evidence regarding continuous cohabitation and separation from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Budd-Chiari syndrome and an increased rating for biatrial enlargement due to insufficient medical information, and for determining an earlier effective date for service connection. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess her conditions and determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, including cataracts, as secondary to his service-connected dermatitis and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected dermatitis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interrelated nature with the other claims.