Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity lymphedema on both schedular and extraschedular bases. The decision found that symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings, including stasis pigmentation or eczema, persistent ulceration, or massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.

The Board granted an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and related complications, resulting in a combined 100% schedular rating. The agent fees are granted as the services provided were deemed reasonable based on past-due benefits awarded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in a January 2018 rating decision that granted service connection for foreign object in hilar area with associated hemoptysis at 10 percent effective November 16, 2010. The appellant withdrew his appeal.

The appellant's request for accrued benefits was denied as he does not meet the statutory requirements to be considered a child or bear the expense of last sickness or burial. The claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hand disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's residuals of colectomy with perianal fistula and decreased sphincter control were rated at 30 percent prior to July 26, 2010, and increased to 100 percent effective July 26, 2010.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher rating due to frequent leakage problems and copious fecal discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran currently has a heart condition, specifically an irregular heartbeat. The case will be sent back for further clarification and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hiatal hernia and erosive duodenitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused by his military service or related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has granted an extraschedular disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's inguinal hernia residuals with ilioinguinal nerve entrapment, finding that the schedular rating criteria are inadequate to rate the Veteran's condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and liver cancer, finding that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and no medical opinion linking the cancers to service.

The Veteran's daughter M.B. is denied additional VA educational assistance benefits in excess of 1 day under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code due to the legal limit on total educational benefits.

The Board has granted entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension from January 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009. The decision is based on the Appellant's income not exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a surviving spouse with one dependent during this period.

The Board found that the appellant's pension rate is correctly calculated throughout the appeal period and denied a higher rate for survivor pension benefits.

The Veteran's testicular disability, including chronic epididymitis with transient hydrocele, is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his period of service.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for one-time dental treatment (Class II) for periodontal disease due to his service during the Persian Gulf War and meeting other eligibility criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a dental disability resulting in the loss of teeth numbers 7 through 10, finding that it is etiologically related to an in-service injury and constitutes a compensable condition.

The Veteran's left arm nerve damage during surgery is denied as there is no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for perforation of the nasal septum with excessive nose bleeds has been granted at a 30 percent level, effective from August 24, 1973.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate prior examinations and a need for retrospective opinions regarding pain in the Veteran's range of motion during previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye redness and blurriness, which developed after his in-service surgery for left eye exotropia, are service-connected as postoperative residuals outside of the usual effects of surgical treatment.