Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for memory loss and fatigue. Service connection is granted for both conditions, with memory loss presumed due to Gulf War exposure and sleep apnea found to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's right index finger and long fingers are rated at noncompensable levels due to normal range of motion and no gaps between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or amputation.,The Veteran's right ring finger is also rated at noncompensable levels due to normal range of motion and no gaps between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or amputation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic myelogenous leukemia due to ionizing radiation exposure during his active duty is remanded. The VA will obtain and review the Veteran's records, including a Defense Threat Reduction Agency report, to determine if there was any residual ionizing radiation contamination on Johnston Island where he served.

The Veteran's service-connected supraventricular tachycardia status post ablation is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an in-person VA examination and consideration of all pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether his skin cancer is related to sun exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current headaches and medication rebound headaches are related to his in-service fall. The claim for service connection is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's duodenal ulcer. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination and updated treatment records will be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the back, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fracture of right ring finger and residuals, small finger injury were denied as there was no evidence to support a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's neck cancer is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need to verify his reported nerve agent exposure during service. The issues of service connection for tremors, esophageal disorder, and memory loss are all related to this verification process.

The Veteran's pre-existing endometriosis was aggravated during service, and her TAH is at least as likely as not related to all of her gynecological diagnoses, including uterine fibroids and a right adnexal mass diagnosed in service. Service connection for residuals of the TAH is granted.

The appeal seeking an earlier effective date than March 21, 2016, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin disorder, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found the VA examination insufficient for rating purposes and remanded to obtain a new one.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hand disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder, including periodontal disease and impacted wisdom teeth, as these conditions are not considered disabilities for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee extension is also rated at 30 percent. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at various clinics and hospitals. As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Board found that the service member's discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, not a minor offense. As such, his character of discharge bars him from receiving VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes and therefore, entitlement to DIC benefits is granted.