Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not originate in service or within a year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the portion of the $2,738 debt created in January 2008 relating solely to removing the Veteran's prior spouse as a dependent is valid. However, the portion of the debt attributable to the period from February 2007 to December 2007 when L.L. should have been considered a dependent is not valid.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia with chest pain effective from March 2, 2012.

The Veteran's bladder impairment is not a neurological abnormality proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar disability, and therefore he is not entitled to a separate rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that E.A.W. may be recognized as the dependent child of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes due to a deemed valid common law marriage prior to November 1982.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's compression fracture of T-12 and L1 was rated at 20 percent prior to April 13, 2016. From that date, the Board granted a 40 percent rating based on evidence showing forward flexion limited to 20 degrees.

The Veteran's service-connected Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) is rated at 60 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, such as depression and sleep disturbance, related to his military service. The Veteran was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, which is a progression of a previously diagnosed unspecified personality disorder. The VA examiner found that the current symptoms are more likely than not secondary to the Veteran's personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any compensable eye disabilities related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's Alzheimer's disease and service, including exposure to hazardous materials. Service connection for Alzheimer's disease is denied.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's stroke to his military service or any service-connected disability. The Board denies service connection for the Veteran's stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of major joint pain with arthritis and finds that his symptoms are better explained by his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, he is denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed eye disability, sinus disability, or varicose veins that are service-connected.,Service connection for these conditions has been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities and the Board cannot connect any to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for systemic lupus erythematosus is granted as her symptoms are related to her current diagnosis and manifested during active duty.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck condition, including as secondary to her shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Veteran's cause of death is not in dispute, but the claims for DIC based on service connection and under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are moot.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 25, 2005 for the grant of TDIU is granted. No earlier effective date is warranted as there is no factually ascertainable evidence that the Veteran became unable to obtain or maintain employment in the year prior.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right lower extremity sciatica are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's pleural plaques of the lungs are reasonably demonstrated to be due to inservice asbestos exposure, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.