Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome in her back, left hip, and right hip as new evidence suggests these conditions may be related to service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if she indeed has these conditions and their etiology.

The appeal of the issue regarding additional dependency benefits for the Veteran's spouse, R., prior to September 15, 2014, has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claim for mesothelioma due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing personnel records from Shepherds Grove Royal Air Force station.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for an independent medical expert opinion to determine if he has a current right leg disability and whether it was caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's CLL is service-connected due to exposure to chemical fumes in his ship's paint locker during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorders, including squamous cell carcinoma of the right ear and actinic keratoses on his cheeks and forearm, are related to his exposure to excessive ultraviolet light during service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for trochanteric bursitis of the left and right hips were denied. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate given the lack of limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's left middle finger disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to August 9, 2016. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the left middle finger disability beginning on August 9, 2016, and a compensable evaluation for the right little finger disability are denied.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for blindness in his left eye due to surgery performed at VA on March 24, 2003. The case has been remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if the blindness was caused or aggravated by the VA treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bladder disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not attributable to service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected left leg varicose veins was denied as the evidence did not show persistent edema or stasis pigmentation, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's death benefits are denied as the Appellant is not recognized as his mother for DIC purposes, due to a prior final decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Appellant and a need for further examination regarding her Turner's syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip arthritis and remanded his claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board has restored service connection for residuals of a T-12 fracture, finding that the previous severance was improper due to CUE in the April 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's left heel calcaneal spurs were granted service connection. The issue of residuals of a prostatectomy is remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between his condition and his military service, including herbicide exposure. The claim was also not granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing SSA disability benefits records, specifically two physical residual functional capacity assessments from November 2015 and February 2016. The Veteran's attorney submitted these documents in May 2018.