Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma residuals have been evaluated at a 40 percent rating from October 1, 2013 to February 14, 2017. The RO has maintained this evaluation until February 14, 2017 when it was reduced to 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected cellulitis of the lower extremities is rated at 30 percent, and no higher. The RO properly calculated his combined disability evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for synovial and clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses, finding that there is no current diagnosis or residuals related to this condition.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating from October 6, 2008, to July 23, 2012. A higher rating is not warranted during this period.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent prior to July 26, 2016. Effective July 26, 2016, the VA increased her ratings to 20 percent for each knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral heel disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected arthritis, including his right knee arthritis. The claim for right thigh hematoma residuals is reopened and service connection is also granted on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development of her medical records, including VA treatment records from the Jacksonville VA Medical Center. The eye disability claim will be evaluated under the criteria applicable prior to December 10, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion or painful motion of the left ankle prior to November 8, 2017, and no more than moderate limitation of motion since that date.

The Veteran's current fungus of the scrotum is not related to his service, as it was diagnosed after separation and is not linked to any condition or exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a broken right hand, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability corresponding to a 1977 in-service injury and that his report was inconsistent with his service treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the issue of payment or reimbursement of medical expenses for non-emergency care at numerous non-VA facilities, so the case is dismissed.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right leg shin splints and left leg stress fractures, finding that the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of right scrotal hidradenitis is related to symptoms he experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia was incurred during or within one year of, or caused by, his active duty service. The examiner opined it is less likely than not that the condition was incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from active service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's mood disorder has been rated at 50 percent since December 16, 2016. The rating is based on the symptoms of depression and anxiety that have caused reduced reliability and productivity in his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for myelofibrosis from 100 percent to noncompensable was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability prior to May 13, 2011 and since that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, or cartilage dislocation, which would warrant separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257, 5260, or 5258. The Veteran's left knee disability prior to May 13, 2011 was rated as 40 percent disabling based on limitation of extension and flexion. Since that date, the evidence did not show any additional functional loss due to pain or other symptoms such as weakness, fatigability, or incoordination.

The Board has denied the Appellant's claims for educational assistance under both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Educational Assistance Program and the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program due to his service not meeting the eligibility requirements.