Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's death pension and service connection for cause of death claims, finding that there was no valid common-law marriage between the Appellant and the Veteran. The claim for accrued benefits was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition, specifically loss of hair on the face including eyelashes and eyebrows, as it began during service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available schedular rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the major or minor thumb. The appeal regarding TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for scleroderma, including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal before the decision was made. An issue of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's spouse does not meet the legal criteria to qualify as a 'surviving spouse' for purposes of establishing entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation or death benefits, including service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher special monthly compensation due to loss of use of extremities as they do not involve anatomical loss or loss of use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and asthma have been granted. The claim for neck condition remains denied.,New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and asthma.

The Veteran's right hand disability has resulted in impairment consistent with a moderately severe muscle injury, and the Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for this condition. The claim was denied for special monthly compensation (SMC) as there is no anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand.

The Board denied service connection for a right great toe/toenail disability, finding that the current chronic condition is not related to service and no evidence was provided showing injury or disease in line of duty during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including celiac disease, and the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for intertrigo fungus of the groin. The Veteran's lay reports of ongoing symptoms during and after service are not adequately addressed in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia (leukemia) should be remanded due to incomplete evidence and a need for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing his treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and TDIU have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the evaluation of left and right hip bursitis, which were previously rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The preexisting irregular heart rhythm noted at enlistment did not worsen during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current arthritis is not related to his active service, including the osteochondritis dissecans he had during service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence relating to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disorder, finding that the Veteran's current prostate disorders are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as a dependent, stating that the requested evidence was not provided within one year from the April 2003 notification letter.

The Board found that the claim for payment or reimbursement of the cost of private emergency transportation by JFR on February 18, 2013 was timely filed and granted as all necessary criteria were met.

The Veteran is granted housing allowance for the period of September 2, 2014 to September 14, 2014 under Chapter 33.