Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a specially adapted automobile and adaptive equipment was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's COPD and his service, including exposure to asbestos while serving aboard the U.S.S. Constellation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right hip injury, including a lack of private treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is presumed to have submitted new and material evidence when he provided a statement about his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status has been dismissed as there is no case or controversy pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was not properly created due to administrative error, and thus grants the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot condition is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected left knee conditions and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot nerve disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a present disability or a link to active service.

The Board has restored the 10 percent rating for limitation of extension and granted a 20 percent evaluation for impairment of the thigh due to degenerative joint disease of the right hip, effective August 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's prostatitis was initially granted a non-compensable rating from May 1992 to November 2005, and then upgraded to a 60 percent rating since November 2015. The current 60 percent rating is for voiding dysfunction requiring the use of an appliance or wearing absorbent materials more than four times per day.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 20 percent for varicose veins of the left leg effective August 21, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for varicose veins of the right leg prior to August 21, 2018 remains denied.

The Board found the termination of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits on March 14, 2016 was proper based on his conviction date.

The Veteran's service-connected stroke residuals have resulted in permanent loss of use of his right hand and foot, allowing for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for strokes was received on February 25, 2010. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim was filed after entitlement arose.

The appellant is denied additional education benefits under the Fry Scholarship because she has already used up her maximum allowable entitlement of 48 months, and the amendment to allow for an additional 81 months does not apply due to the expiration of her existing entitlement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability as a result of asbestos exposure because there is no evidence of a current disability or functional impairment affecting earning capacity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's narcolepsy symptoms began during service and have persisted since, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pleurisy as there is no current diagnosis and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's left great toe degenerative joint disease of the metatarsophalangeal joint is currently rated at 20 percent, and his hallux valgus of the left great toe is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.,Additional evidence may be needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted for either condition.