Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a compression fracture of the seventh thoracic vertebra, finding that it began during active service and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pterygium and an earlier effective date of July 21, 2010 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current eye conditions are considered to be related to his in-service exposure to sun, dust, and tear gas.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's lung condition is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a head injury is granted, as the in-service injury occurred in the line of duty and was not due to willful misconduct.,The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and renal failure due to lithium toxicity is remanded for further action.,The Veteran's special monthly pension claim based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is also remanded.

The Veteran's compensation benefits are denied as there is no evidence of service connection for any condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity nerve damage (foot drop) as it was not related to the Veteran's service or a service-connected condition. The claim for an initial compensable rating for scars and increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disk disease, status post laminectomy and fusion were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left foot digital deformity or bilateral bunion disability, and thus, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, was granted for Raynaud’s disease from October 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left elbow tendonitis and entitlement to extraschedular ratings for right and left elbow disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with L5-S1 degenerative disc disease and has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for right eye cataract/ametropia.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because there is no justiciable case or controversy, as the appellant's benefits are already in effect due to a previous decision granting her waiver request.

The Veteran's step-daughter, K.C., was not recognized as a 'helpless child' of the Veteran due to her age and legal status at the time she turned 18.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and completing a VA form 21-8940. The case will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the appellant met the medical requirements necessary for a commercial pilot's certificate, equivalent to an FAA second-class medical certificate, on the day he began his flight training in August 2013. Therefore, the criteria for payment of flight training education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) have been met.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Peyronie's disease and entitlement to SMC for loss of use of a creative organ as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin fungus and skin cancer are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The right knee disorder and left knee disorder were also found not to be service-connected due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The GERD with gastritis claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a dental disorder for which compensation may be paid.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for stomach cancer and Barrett’s esophagus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service. The denial was based on lack of exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or herbicide agents during service, as well as insufficient medical evidence linking the cancers to service.