Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gynecomastia, pituitary gland disability, gastrointestinal disability, sleep disorder (due to service-connected mental disabilities), and loss of teeth for compensation purposes. The decision was based on a finding that these conditions were not related to service or compensable under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stomach disorder did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was also denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left hip disorder and therefore, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $8,429.33 due to fault on his part and lack of timely notification.

The Board found that the appellant's respiratory disability, including pneumonia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's constipation was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and has not been found to be etiologically related to service or as secondary to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for constipation is denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of dental trauma, finding that the Veteran's condition did not constitute an injury for which compensation may be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy, status post-traumatic myocardial infarction and ventricular aneurysm resection is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records from Dr. A.C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a shrapnel wound to the neck and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis/proctitis is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7323. The Board has found that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on his reported symptoms and medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted initial compensable disability ratings for the Veteran's right hip condition, left foot heel spur, and loss of sense of smell. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for spondyloarthropathy with radiculopathy, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. The case is dismissed as it pertains to this issue.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including exostosis and partial third digit amputation, has been rated at 20 percent since February 1, 2013. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's DVT causes edema, incompletely relieved by elevation, and discoloration of his right leg. The Board finds that a 20 percent initial evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's DVT.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals, left index finger extensor tendon injury with repair was granted effective January 10, 2018.,Service connection for a left leg disability and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were both denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a brain tumor, which he claims is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board has determined that the Veteran's active service does not qualify him for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure, but will remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the current condition is related to service.