Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination documentation and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Polymorphic Light Eruption Syndrome is already rated at its highest possible evaluation (60%), and thus, an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied the claims for restoration of ratings for traumatic arthritis and limitation of flexion in the right knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if a claim for survivor's benefits was filed with Social Security Administration and, if so, when it was filed.

The Veteran's representative J.M. was awarded a 20% representation fee for past-due benefits due to his services in representing the Veteran on an appeal of a left hip stress fracture disability rating, which resulted in a 10% rating effective November 30, 2008.

The Board has decided that the claim should be reconsidered as an accrued benefits claim, considering only evidence from the time of the Veteran's death in June 2010. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disability and hypertension were granted, but the Board found no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran was diagnosed with Wegener's granulomatosis and other pulmonary issues after discharge from service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar and cervical spine prior to December 31, 2005 is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records from Jamaica Plain VAMC (1983-1986) and SSA records related to his 1989 disability benefits claim. A medical opinion is also needed to estimate the in-service measurements of forward flexion of the spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ulnar tunnel syndrome is related to nerve damage sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome began during her military service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's countable income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected benefits, thus denying his claim.

The Veteran's cause of death, AML, was not related to his service or presumed Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran’s AML and his military service.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease was previously rated at 30 percent, but he claims his symptoms have worsened and requires medication. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to determine if his condition would warrant higher ratings without medication.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disability manifested by syncopal episodes and a cardiac disability, finding that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatic cancer, finding no evidence of a link between his active service or any incident therein and his post-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes DJD and a cartilage tear, was rated at 40 percent prior to June 22, 2017. The rating has been denied for any higher ratings after that date.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of keratitis with corneal thinning and scarring of the left eye, as well as chronic conjunctivitis of the bilateral eyes. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further evaluation of the Veteran's fractured vertebral body at L4-5, including during flare-ups and radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for myopic astigmatism and remanded the issue of whether a pre-existing bilateral leg disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, was caused by or related to herbicide agent exposure during service in Vietnam. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.