Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for systemic lupus erythematosus service connection. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits should be remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding his income and expenses. The case must be returned after updated information is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for colorectal cancer, finding that the Veteran's condition did not begin during his military service and is not linked to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at both the R-1 and R-2 rates. The Veteran's condition, as related to his ambulation behind a walker or wheelchair, will be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's calcaneal bursitis of the bilateral feet is rated at 30 percent, effective from March 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thumb, right leg, and left leg disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or any link to service.

The Veteran is granted restoration of additional compensation for his dependent child, J.S., from June 1, 2013 to January 6, 2015 based on school attendance. The award was initially removed due to J.S.'s high school graduation but the Veteran notified VA that J.S. continued his education at a university.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right foot conditions due to a need for further development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a surviving spouse with no dependents, even after deducting all allowable medical expenses.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for a heart disorder, which is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for ulcerative colitis prior to August 10, 2017 is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of oral surgery and dental injury is denied as there are no diagnosed disabilities related to her in-service tooth extractions, and she does not meet the criteria for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings related to his eye conditions, as well as an allergy. The appeals are being referred back for further development of medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's rectal cancer is related to his exposure to burn pits while serving in Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including pseudofolliculitis barbae and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right inguinal hernia as secondary to a service-connected left inguinal hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the two conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability was either the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's prandial dumping syndrome, which is rated as resection of the large intestine under Diagnostic Code 7329, has been granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent. Additionally, a TDIU for the period from October 1, 2011 to November 16, 2012 has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for prostatitis has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service-connected burial benefits was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities.