Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the claim for TDIU from September 20, 2012, to April 1, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The weight of evidence is in equipoise, thus resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cellulitis was denied as he does not have a current disability related to his in-service diagnosis of cellulitis. The increased rating claim for residuals of stab wound, left chest is pending.

The Veteran asserts that VA failed to properly address a ventral hernia found on a VA computed tomography (CT) scan in October 2010, and as a result, the Veteran suffered an additional disability of status post ventral hernia surgery. The Board finds that the opinion is inadequate and requires an addendum.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disability, but denied it on the merits.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cancer is related to service.

The Veteran's deviated septum does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it does not result in 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg amputation is not related to service or a service-connected disability and therefore, denied his claim for service connection. The Veteran was also denied eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment due to non-service connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for thoracic anterior compression fractures has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand damage is not caused by VA medical treatment, as his symptoms are a known progression of Dupytren's disease and were reasonably foreseeable complications.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service connection claim for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and his increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if he was exposed to asbestos in service and whether his CLL may be related to that exposure. Additionally, an audiometric evaluation is required to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate his service-connected ear disability, which has not been examined in almost four years. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding dates of incarceration and termination of apportionment.

The Veteran's former agent is seeking payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits, but the appeal has not been properly processed due to procedural issues.

The Board finds that the Appellant is not entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for the purpose of receiving VA death benefits due to a separation caused by health problems, work schedules, and familial commitments.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide his claim of service connection for duodenal/peptic ulcer disease, including as secondary to service-connected hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and esophageal stricture.

The Board has determined that additional compensation beyond the rate authorized in 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l) for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is not authorized as a matter of law.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of diverticulitis from the Board, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Sjögren's syndrome has been dismissed due to his death.