Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to independent living services in the form of a personal trainer and/or computer training as these are not necessary for him to live more independently.

The Veteran seeks service connection for focal dystonia of the right hand. The Board finds that additional development is needed to resolve inconsistencies in the record regarding when the condition manifested and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's right and left leg shin splints have been rated at 30 percent since August 3, 2017. The Board has granted a higher rating for her service-connected disabilities.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving child for purposes of receiving DIC, death pension, and accrued benefits due to her age at the time she filed her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and there is no competent evidence linking his current peripheral vascular disease to service or exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic neurosis and related disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for prostatitis with urethritis. The overpayment of $18,487 in nonservice-connected pension benefits was found to be validly created due to the Veteran's continued acceptance of benefits despite knowing he was not entitled to them.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for muscular dystrophy and granted service connection, finding that the Veteran's muscular dystrophy first manifested during service and was aggravated by active duty activities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for endometriosis and granted it, finding that there is at least a state of relative equipoise as to the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's residuals of left superior and inferior pubic ramus stress fracture with limitation of extension are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for trichotillomania prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left trigeminal neuralgia is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected TMJ, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's liver disorder was aggravated by service, and the Board has granted service connection for his current liver disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether VA treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's MRSA infection and subsequent death. The Appellant must provide additional inpatient records from University Hospital, and a new opinion is needed from the VA doctor who provided the June 2012 opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's primary hypogonadism is not attributable to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection for primary hypogonadism is denied.

The Veteran's lung condition and neurological disabilities in his upper and lower extremities are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and potential causes of these conditions. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence received since the April 2015 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current syringomyelia is related to his military service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the addition of relevant VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is partially predicated on his left foot condition.

The Board denied the claims for accrued benefits (nonservice-connected death pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance) due to untimeliness of the original claim submitted by the surviving spouse in February 2012, over a year following the Veteran's death.