Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more recent examination of his service-connected disabilities to assess their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic epididymitis with hydrocele and voiding dysfunction prior to January 16, 2013 was not manifested by urinary leakage requiring the use of absorbent materials which must be changed less than two times per day. From January 16, 2013, it was not manifested by urinary leakage requiring the use of absorbent materials which must be changed two to four times per day or obstructed voiding with urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization. As such, a disability rating greater than the assigned ratings is denied.

The Veteran's right foot SFW residuals have been evaluated as a moderately severe disability for more than 20 years and therefore that finding is protected. The evidence does not show actual improvement of the Veteran's right foot SFW residuals to include in the ability to function in the ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right hip disorder. Additionally, he will be scheduled for a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding his heart disability claims. The earlier effective date claim is inextricably intertwined with the heart disability claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a dental condition (upper and lower) for compensation purposes as there is no current evidence of a compensable dental condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle disability. The Veteran reported worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in February 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations to assess his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the DIC and pension claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and clarifying the Appellant's income and expenses.

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge from service is dishonorable, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran was not in receipt of, or entitled to receive under governing statutory and regulatory provisions, compensation for total disability due to a service-connected disability for a continuous period of eight years prior to his death. The claim of entitlement to enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected myofascial pain disorder to the right trapezius muscle, including range of motion and any associated neurological disability.

The Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right patella requires a brace, which tends to wear and tear his clothing. The Board finds that he is entitled to an annual clothing allowance for 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and treatment records, adjudicating a CUE claim, and ensuring all relevant evidence is associated with the claims file. The appellant's representative also raised a CUE in prior RO administrative decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for microcytic anemia, but denied service connection for multiple myeloma and B cell leukemia. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current anemia is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for emergency treatment at a non-VA facility from December 27, 2010 through December 31, 2011 are denied as the preponderance of evidence shows that seeking VA care beforehand would have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of being recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to her divorce from the Veteran, which was initiated by her and not due to the Veteran's misconduct.

The Veteran's bilateral onychomycosis with dermatophytosis has been rated as non-compensable since March 2013. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted due to the mild nature of his condition and lack of unstable or painful scars. For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective July 13, 2012.