Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's parasomnia with recurrent isolated sleep paralysis is not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include mood disorder NOS and a panic disorder has been granted.,An increased evaluation for cervical strain remains denied.,An increased evaluation for thoracolumbar strain remains denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for the service-connected degenerative arthritis, left knee is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis, right knee has not been met.,Service connection for chest pain remains denied.,An increased evaluation for left upper extremity scar remains denied.,A compensable rating for left wrist injury (also claimed as suicide attempt injury) remains denied.,An increased evaluation for right foot hallux valgus remains denied.,Service connection for herpes remains denied.

The Board previously granted a TDIU in December 2018, making the current appeal moot.

The Veteran's right foot disability is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for a right foot injury is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars VA benefits. The claim is granted in part as it reopens the issue of whether the character of his service is a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his in-service heart irregularity did not contribute to his death and was more likely a result of aging.

The Veteran's service-connected vulvovaginitis requires continuous treatment, but the examiner needs to clarify what symptoms are related to her service-connected condition and whether they require continuous treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding substitution of the appellant for the Veteran in his pending claim.

The Veteran's disability rating for brain disorder associated with cranial trauma was reduced from 30% to 10%, effective January 1, 2014. The reduction is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the source of funds from the Veteran's Wells Fargo account and the appropriate disposition of the appellant's claim. Further development is needed to determine whether the funds are from a fiduciary trust account or a PFOP account, and to ascertain if the appellant is entitled to the funds as next of kin.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatic cancer and liver cancer, as well as his cause of death claim due to potential herbicide exposure. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Wegener's granulomatosis is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals, ulcer disease, status post Billroth II with vagotomy and antrectomy is rated at a 60 percent disability level. The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether her condition met the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7308 (postgastrectomy syndrome severe). Her symptoms of nausea, sweating, circulatory disturbance after meals, diarrhea, hypoglycemic symptoms, and weight loss with malnutrition and anemia are consistent with this diagnosis. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded for additional information.

The Veteran's surviving spouse had no claims pending with VA at the time of her death, and there were no unpaid VA benefits due. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Veteran's Alzheimer’s disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, but the claim will be remanded for further examination and consideration of whether this exposure caused his condition.

The Veteran's tooth #10 was injured during service, and he is seeking service connection for the resulting residuals. The case has been remanded to schedule a VA dental examination at the New Orleans, Louisiana VA facility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disorders, including osteoarthritis. The case will be reviewed to determine if there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the current hip conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for immune thrombocytopenia purpura anemia, finding it is related to the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service.

The veteran's basic eligibility to VA loan guaranty benefits is denied because he was discharged with a general discharge, not an honorable one.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the December 2016 VA examination report and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an opinion regarding whether in-service exposure caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.