Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, finding that she does not have a compensable dental disability and thus cannot establish service connection. The secondary service connection claim for the dental disability due to chronic HSV-1 is also denied as the Veteran is not service-connected for HSV-1.

The Veteran's bilateral hip conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. His left knee condition is also not shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which was the immediate cause of his death, is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 70 percent for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder and TDIU based on her service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic otitis media with otosclerosis, status post stapedectomy and labyrinthectomy is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated septum does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent on an extraschedular basis, as his symptoms are adequately addressed by the current schedular rating.

The Veteran's mental disability has been characterized by symptoms such as near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's carotid artery stenosis and heart palpitations have not resulted in any disabling effects, functional impairment, or necessitated any treatment or medication. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left eye disability did not begin during his military service and is not etiologically related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service. The evidence does not establish a permanent worsening of his preexisting visual defect beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including bilateral hypertensive retinopathy and right eye epiretinal membrane, is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's status post exploratory laparotomy is rated at 30 percent, and his impairment of rectal sphincter control is also service-connected as secondary to the primary condition. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's spouse is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which was granted in July 2005. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of documentation regarding the Veteran's prior application for VA healthcare in 2003.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's skin disability, intertrigo, is rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and initial development of her TDIU claim.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and finds that it is warranted based on evidence showing a current diagnosis of unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder, which is related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding combat experiences in Vietnam supports his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and specially adapted housing or home adaption are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.