Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the appellant's actions during service did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct, thus his character of discharge is not dishonorable and does not bar him from receiving VA benefits other than medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an in-service hernia and finds no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper thoracic spondylosis is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's compensation from the SCSEP program is considered countable income for non-service-connected disability pension purposes, and his appeal to exclude this compensation is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on right ankle, left ankle, and right hand disabilities is being remanded. The appeal for service connection for a heart disability remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board, specifically regarding the issue of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and/or being housebound has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran meets the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits as he served in Vietnam, is over 65 years old, and has an income and net worth below the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board found that the cause of death, an acute myocardial infarction, was not caused or contributed substantially to by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided the case requires additional development due to uncertainty about the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder and his claimed left forearm myalgia.

The case is being remanded for the adjudication of the TDIU claim prior to May 15, 2014. The AOJ should ensure all necessary development has been completed and then make a decision on the matter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate disorder, including BPH, is not related to his service or caused by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for voiding dysfunction from July 18, 2008. He also receives TDIU based on service-connected voiding dysfunction alone prior to October 19, 2011 and SMC at the housebound rate effective October 19, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for swelling of the upper extremities and claustrophobia have been denied. The increased rating claim for hypertension has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition is related to his numbness and tingling of the bilateral lower extremities. His upper extremity conditions are not related to his service-connected back condition.

The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a compensable dental condition, but granted service connection for a non-compensable dental condition due to his poor oral hygiene and treatment during service. The decision is mixed as one issue was denied while another was granted.

The Board previously denied service connection for deterioration of the left ventricle secondary to a viral infection in service. New evidence does not establish that this condition is related to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's tooth #10 was normal upon enlistment and discharge, and did not sustain dental trauma during service. The evidence does not establish a connection between the Veteran's current condition of tooth #10 and his service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge from military service was under other than honorable conditions due to misconduct, which the Board considered an offense of moral turpitude. As a result, his character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal issues, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are not formally diagnosed. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.