Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left rotator cuff tear, including testing in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing situations.

The Veteran's maxillary sinus, left disability is rated at 50 percent since October 22, 2013. This rating is the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents and unclear timeline of events, including whether a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed with the January 2008 denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart valve condition, finding that it is less likely than not related to his scarlet fever contracted during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service and therefore is not eligible for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund or VA benefits.

The appellant's request to substitute as claimant due to the death of the Veteran's surviving spouse was denied because it was received more than a year after the claimant's death.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is presumed to have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his service. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for this condition based on the presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's loss of bilateral visual acuity is not deemed to be a result of VA care, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, is being remanded for additional development as the Board finds insufficient evidence to decide the claim at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of left jaw surgery are service-connected, as his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion based on full review of the record and supported by stated rationale.

The Veteran's thymic carcinoma is found to be related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for recurrent ear infections has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the appellant is not the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to her divorce from the Veteran and his remarriage, which means she does not meet the eligibility requirements for VA surviving spouse benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical examination to determine if the appellant became permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining 18 years of age.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's disability rating for pelvic adhesive disease (PAD) was granted at a 10 percent level, effective January 25, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms required continuous treatment and thus did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic diarrhea and hematuria/dysuria due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability incurred during active military service. The Veteran's higher initial ratings for CFS and undiagnosed illness are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 9, 2003 for service connection of adjustment disorder was granted.