Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition began during service. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability remains before the Board.

The Board found that the May 1944 rating decision denying service connection for constitutional psychopathic inferiority without psychosis was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left calf muscle injury does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 25, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 25, 2010 is denied as his combined service-connected disability rating was less than 70% at that time.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's TMJ disorder throughout the appeal period, finding that the criteria for such rating are met based on painful motion and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, did not originate in service or within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found no nexus between his current gastrointestinal disabilities and his service-connected right-sided facial keloids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye condition is denied as there is no evidence of any disease or injury incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to unclear reasons for not paying nonservice-connected pension benefits during a specific period of time. The case is now pending further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which was listed as the cause of death, was not caused or aggravated by his military service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer as there was no evidence of a diagnosis within the presumptive period and no continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current diagnoses were considered to be malignant tumors, but he did not have a diagnosis of a chronic disease such as skin cancer during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left breast cancer and verifying any potential exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran does not have a gynecological disorder manifested by an abnormal Pap smear and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are not met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for gout of the right and left toes, including on an extraschedular basis, was granted by the Board. The effective date is not specified as it was increased from 20 to 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder precludes him from being able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 9, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other asbestos-related disease and his currently diagnosed silicosis was not present in service or until many years thereafter, and there is no such evidence relating it to service, to include his conceded exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right and left fingers is as likely as not caused or aggravated by active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck injury and cubital tunnel syndrome are at least as likely as not related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disabilities affecting his extremities are not related to in-service Agent Orange exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's complaints are related to her service-connected condition or another disability, and if so, what symptoms are attributable to each.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and opinion. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.