Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's congenital non-compaction cardiomyopathy, a disease, did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification from the VA medical examiner regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The examiner will also be asked to determine if AML can be classified as multiple myeloma.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the functional impairment of his first toe, left foot fracture during flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vision impairment and a compensable rating for chalazion of the upper eyelids are being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for further development of evidence, including obtaining updated VA and private audiological records. The AOJ must address whether the Veteran's current conditions are secondary to his perforated ear drums or symptoms thereof, exacerbated by service.

The Board has denied the claim for VA death pension benefits as there is no evidence provided by the appellant to show that B.P.'s income was below the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) and her net worth was not excessive.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy will be reconsidered.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current dental disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the overpayment of vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowance in the amount of $645.78 was properly created, and thus grants the validity of the overpayment.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg blocked artery was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to determine the area of the body affected by the skin disability during active periods; to determine the frequency and duration during the appeal period in which the Veteran was being treated with oral medications; and, to determine which of the Veteran's reported symptoms, if any, may be attributed to his fever.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right scapula fracture has been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or exceeds the criteria for an increased disability rating prior to September 19, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals from a head injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.

The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge was a bar to VA benefits due to his being AWOL for a continuous period of at least 180 days, and because he accepted an undesirable discharge to escape trial by court-martial. The Board also noted that there were no compelling circumstances to justify the prolonged absence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected complete deafness of the right ear, finding that the evidence did not show a level of severity or symptomatology associated with the disability that presented such an exceptional picture as to make the available schedular evaluations inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is denied.

The Board found that the appellant's entire period of service from May 1970 to February 1972 constitutes one period of service, and his discharge under other than honorable conditions applies to this entire period. The Board determined that the appellant's discharge was issued because of willful and persistent misconduct, which is a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right lower calf growth/disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine if he currently has such a condition and whether it is related to his military service.