Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran's current epistaxis began during service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The appellant seeks retroactive VA pension benefits for expenses paid on behalf of his deceased spouse's last illness. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and documentation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals status post hernia repair and congenital hydrocele with tunica vaginalis as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the final June 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied as the July 2003 rating decision is final and there was no new and material evidence submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board finds that the aggravation of the Veteran's left eye disability was a result of VA's lack of treatment despite being on notice of this condition, and grants compensation under Section 1151 for this issue. The low back disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hairy cell leukemia is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and consideration of whether referral on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Veteran's residuals of MDS/iron deficiency anemia have been manifested by hemoglobin more than 10gm/100ml and dyspnea on mild exertion, easy fatigability, and shortness of breath without hemoglobin 8 gm/100 ml (i.e., 8 gm/1 dL) or less. The Veteran's MDS/iron deficiency anemia is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's application for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits for CFI training was denied because she did not hold a valid second-class medical certificate necessary for a commercial pilot certificate on the first day of her training.

The Veteran's lung disorder is not considered to be due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and the Board finds no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for fibromyalgia was remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for rectal cancer, to include as due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran was exposed to contaminants during his service at Camp Lejeune, and he manifested liver cancer to a compensable degree. Service connection for liver cancer is granted.

The Veteran's T-cell LGL leukemia is found to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's autoimmune disease and digestive issues are not service-connected as they are not related to his active duty service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the appeal is moot because a waiver of overpayment was already granted by COWAC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Veteran's right hip disability has been rated at 10 percent for chronic right hip strain. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation, as the range of motion was within normal limits with no additional functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran's right hip DJD has been rated at 40% since July 24, 2017, based on limitation of flexion to 20 degrees and limitation of abduction to 10 degrees.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg and hip disorder did not pre-exist service or become aggravated by his period of ACDUTRA, and thus was not incurred in service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was also denied as it did not manifest during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing all available records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for vitiligo is granted, as there is no doubt to be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the claim for TDIU prior to March 14, 2017. As such, the Board has dismissed the issue.