Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of a left leg sore and there is no evidence linking the current condition to service. Therefore, service connection for a left leg sore is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 25, 2016, for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied by the Board. The earliest possible effective date is February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for the purpose of eligibility for VA death benefits due to her valid marriage and continuous cohabitation, despite a separation.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected recurrent UTIs caused or aggravated her diagnosed SUI with urethral hypermobility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disabilities and right toe arthritis are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of helpless child benefits for his daughter C.S. on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support is granted, with an effective date of June 1, 2004.

The Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, without unfavorable ankylosis. The VA examiner found no additional factors limiting range of motion and noted some pain during movement.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a dental disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current additional dental disability upon which to predicate such an award.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his complications following November 2011 surgery were due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including supraventricular tachycardia due to in-service chemical exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Crohn's disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to sunlight and herbicide agents.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including providing the Veteran with a copy of an Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940) and associating documents from the Social Security Administration into the claims file. The issue will then be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's nerve disability and service, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not related to any disease, event or injury during service other than herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, including diverticulitis and duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination with an appropriate specialist to determine the etiology of her diagnosed brain tumor residuals.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's jaw disability has been productive of displacement causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite, with temporomandibular articulation limited to no less than 35 millimeters (mm) of inter-incisal range and lateral excursion limited to no less than 7 millimeters (mm), along with flare-ups of pain exacerbated by chewing and lock jaw upon yawning. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia has been recurrent post-operatively and readily reducible, but an attempt at support by truss or belt is not evident from the record. The Board finds that a compensable rating for the service-connected umbilical hernia is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.