Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia aggravated his alcohol abuse, which led to pancreatitis and ultimately caused his death from pancreatic cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left hip bursitis, finding that they do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 6, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for right leg varicose veins from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective June 1, 2011, was proper. The case is now remanded due to new evidence indicating an increase in symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of past medical records and a need for a new examination. The Veteran's skin conditions are being reviewed, but service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, as he is currently working full-time in a manual labor field.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral feet disabilities, right shoulder disability, sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis), and right knee disability. The decision also remanded the claim for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for vaginitis and endometriosis resulting in hysterectomy have been denied. A separate rating of 20 percent has been granted for bladder incontinence associated with the hysterectomy.

The Veteran's dental disability, including broken jaw and missing teeth, is denied as there was no loss of the maxilla or mandible due to trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis.

The Veteran's claim for adenocarcinoma of the left parotid saliva gland was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2006. The initial compensable rating from June 1, 2013 for adenocarcinoma of the left parotid saliva gland is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding the denial of her claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the Augusta VA Medical Center and providing an opinion on whether the 1998 surgery was conducted properly.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied the claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits was not properly created from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2013 due to sole VA administrative error. As a result, the debt is not valid and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and medical opinion regarding his right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma with right neck metastasis. The claims will be deferred until further notice.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the reduction in the amount of his nonservice-connected pension benefits.