Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for status post ear infection and tympanic membrane rupture due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeal. The case of service connection for costochondritis is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right inguinal hernia repair and status post umbilical hernia repair, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The scars associated with the hernias are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for HSV disability due to insufficient VA opinion addressing whether Valacyclovir is a systemic therapy and like or similar to a corticosteroid or immunosuppressive drug.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hair loss of the scalp and skin condition of the legs and arms due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with some contending they are related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the overpayment of $17,072.00 was properly created due to the Veteran's receipt of SSA benefits and his failure to report this income promptly. However, a portion of the overpayment ($127.00) is not valid as it occurred due to an erroneous payment release by VA. The appeal for waiver of recovery was denied because the request was not filed within 180 days from the notification of indebtedness.

The Veteran's death was not covered by VA burial benefits as he did not receive any VA compensation or pension at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current condition is related to a lesion removed during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding whether the debt resulting from removing the Veteran's former spouse, A.M., as a dependent was validly created and the issue of entitlement to a waiver of overpayment related to that removal. The Veteran did not file any further appeals or objections.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the VA medical treatment did not result in an additional disability. The Board denied service connection for his hip disorders as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as she did not develop an additional disability due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault during her October 2008 laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a left arm disability and total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 9, 2014. The Veteran's left arm disability includes tremors, weakness in grip strength, numbness affecting his left upper extremity, and pain from the elbow to his hand. An addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of these symptoms.

The Veteran's gout has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination regarding convalescence following spine surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patella have been rated at 10 percent each, effective October 18, 2010. The Board has found that separate ratings of 10 percent for instability are warranted for both knees. However, the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261 have not been met.

The Board has not found a sufficient connection between the Veteran's service and his right parapharyngeal space tumor, but has ordered further examination and opinion to address this issue.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and remands it back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left elbow disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation due to housebound status has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the head is being remanded due to insufficient information on which to decide the claim. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current diagnosis is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's insomnia, finding that it began during active service and continues to this day.