Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's right hand disability was incurred in or caused by service, including his injury to the fifth finger. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The appellant's claim for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment in the amount of $6,560.00 was dismissed as her debt has been fully paid.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma, claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure during service, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and the Veteran did not serve in or near the Korean DMZ where such exposure would be presumed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current benign essential blepharospasm is not shown to be etiologically related to service, including as due to herbicide agents. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's vein disorder of the right lower extremity did not manifest in service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury or disease. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's vision disability, post-pituitary adenoma surgery, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to January 18, 2017 and an 80 percent rating from that date. The effective date remains unchanged at April 28, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition and eligibility for VA dental treatment purposes is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability or conditions that qualify him for treatment under any class.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's combined disability rating prior to August 30, 2011 was 60 percent. The Board found that the manifestations of his service-connected disabilities presented an impairment not fully contemplated by the rating criteria and granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right shin splints, stress fracture of the right tibia, and lumbosacral DDD and strain.

The claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to send the SSOC to the Veteran's current address and return undeliverable notices. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board finds that the evidence supports the establishment of service connection for lupus, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an epidural hematoma and quadriplegia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic sinus infections are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's income and expenses, particularly from 2010 to 2018.

The Veteran's current joint disease, including psoriatic arthritis, arthritis, gout, Paget's disease and osteoporosis, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of these conditions. The examiner will assess whether they are related to herbicide exposure during service or exposure to chemicals other than herbicides during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's RSD is not caused or aggravated by medications taken for his service-connected bilateral knee chondromalacia, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, but denied reopening of his claim for bilateral knee injuries. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is granted as new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than February 1, 2011, for adding his dependent child K.W. to his award was denied as the criteria for an earlier effective date have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the presence of any lung conditions throughout the pendency of the claim and their etiology.