Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral eye disability that is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's spouse was awarded an apportionment of 25 percent of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits from March 1, 2009 to May 31, 2012. This decision grants a higher amount than initially requested.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral toe condition and her period of service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions related to his right hip disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran does not have an additional dental disability under VA laws and regulations, as his condition is due to periodontal disease. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a dental disorder is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as the claim is no longer viable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease, genitourinary disability, retinopathy, and cardiac disability have been denied as these conditions are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of smell and taste following pituitary tumor removal surgery, alleging that he was not fully informed of the risks involved in the procedure.

The Veteran's lung/respiratory disorder, including pulmonary fibrosis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, was not incurred in service or caused by service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and therefore denied service connection for a respiratory condition to include as due to exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cyst excision in the perianal area are rated at 10 percent, which is not higher than what he requested.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's residuals of a left fifth metacarpal fracture have not been manifested by symptoms approximating an amputation of the left little finger, or by involvement of other fingers or the whole hand so as to warrant a compensable rating. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of an initial compensable rating for residuals of a left fifth metacarpal fracture.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain superimposed on degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not have at least 90 days of active service during a period of war and was not discharged from active service due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bunionette, mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia are not related to service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's myositis ossificans of the right tibia and fibula has been rated as 30 percent disabling since March 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current genitourinary disorder, including prostatitis and recurrent urinary tract infections, was not incurred during service and is unrelated to his active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran did not have a service-connected disability or any other compensable disability when he died, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries were incurred in service and are directly related to his active duty, with no indication of willful misconduct. The disabilities have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and he is granted service connection for arthritis throughout his body. The decision also grants a TDIU.