Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's sinus disability did not manifest in service and is not shown to be attributable to service. The VA examination and treatment records do not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability has not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for consideration of recent evidence in the claims file, including VA medical records and a September 2017 VA examination report. The claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hallux valgus and entitlement to TDIU due to additional evidence being associated with the record.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including an eye examination and a review of his private treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for left eye disabilities, service connection for a right eye disability as secondary to left eye disabilities, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as chest pain radiating down the left arm and left jaw, cardiac syndrome, and palpitations is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Board found that the May 1976 VA administrative decision denying eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of qualifying service was not erroneous. The issue of whether the appellant's character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is reopened, but the appeal does not involve any claims related to service connection.

The Veteran died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which the Board found was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it manifested during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for non-VA medical expenses incurred at Memorial Hospital in July 2013. The claim is being remanded due to the invalidation of a regulation that previously denied the claim based on third party insurance coverage.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right thumb disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and compliance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma with residual scars is causally related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current residuals from an in-service left testicle injury, including a swollen left testicle, a scar on his left testicle, and tenderness to his left testicle and a lump on his penis, are due to service. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these residuals.

The Veteran died in October 1980 due to complications of hypogammaglobulinemia, which was caused by radiation exposure during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's death is attributable to his service-connected condition and grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The left fifth finger disability needs to be reassessed, and a hearing loss examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disabilities have been granted ratings and a TDIU prior to February 28, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand strain with old fracture, third metacarpal disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of the applicability of Diagnostic Code 6844 (post-surgical residual) in rating the Veteran's histoplasmosis over the appeal period.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to his military service, including any exposure therein. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disorders of both upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board found the debt valid and granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of $5,962.80 due to an erroneous award of dependency compensation concurrent with Chapter 35 DEA benefits.