Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected essential tremor is manifested by no more than a moderate impairment, and the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's reported treatment at Kirkuk Air Base and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any non-VA providers who have treated him.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and private dental records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for facial injuries is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment, and the proximate cause of death was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, characterized by marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, hammer toes, very painful callosities, and marked varus deformity, more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5278.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection based on his service-connected right knee and low back conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, which have resulted in urinary incontinence requiring the use of absorbent materials more than four times per day since June 3, 2015, are currently rated at 60 percent. Prior to this date, a higher rating was not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disability manifested by rashes affecting the arms, legs, and stomach is not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, including as due to undiagnosed illness. There is no evidence of a chronic skin condition at his June 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, status post-surgery, is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left femoral nerve paresthesias with mild drop foot is rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected shrapnel injury of the left thigh involving muscle group XIV is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are granted.

The Veteran's death made the claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant moot, as they are not periodic monetary benefits. The appellant is therefore ineligible to substitute for the Veteran in these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's blood cancer, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and composite lymphoblastic lymphoma (CLL) are not related to his service or any event of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's limitation of extension of the left hip and right hip have been rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2017. Prior to that date, a higher rating was not warranted for either hip.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right foot injuries are currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating each. The Board finds that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they do not meet the criteria for a 'moderately severe' disability under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's neurological disability, including dementia and tremor, is not considered to be proximately due to or the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing reasonable care. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this disability has been denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on May 19, 2016 are denied as there was a feasibly available VA facility that could have provided the treatment.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent disability rating for bowel incontinence from September 1, 2009 to December 13, 2013 and from April 1, 2015. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees were dismissed as he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a head injury and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.