Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound to the back of his head and/or headaches aggravated his claimed disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorders and for TDIU benefits, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hip conditions and active duty service.

The case is being returned to the Detroit RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge as requested by the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-surgical residuals of bilateral mastectomy for gynecomastia, as his disability was already rated at 50 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a controversy regarding the benefit sought for service connection for heart disease, claimed as cardiac transplantation.

The Board found that the Veteran's actinic keratosis and rash on neck and arms, presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information from Dr. E., a former VA doctor who performed the surgery on the Appellant, and reviewing the February 2000 anesthesia records to determine if the Appellant moved from the operating table during his surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to questions that warrant additional evidentiary development, including a review of the claims file and an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current musculoskeletal disorder and service.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disability due to trauma, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service dental trauma. The decision was based on the lack of indication of such trauma in the service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether an increased apportionment amount in excess of $53.00 per month is warranted due to financial hardship, considering factors such as income, living expenses, and needs of other claimants.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of overpayment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dependency compensation benefits in the amount of $2,421.00 because her request was not timely filed within 180 days after notification.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of rectal cancer were not incurred in or aggravated during active service and did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent within one year after service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic viral infection, including Epstein-Barr virus. The evidence shows that the Veteran currently suffers from a diagnosis of chronic Epstein-Barr virus and this condition is likely related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for lost teeth (dental disability) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The original denial of these claims remains final.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe disability is rated at 10 percent since October 7, 1992. The claim for depressive/anxious mood as secondary to the service-connected right great toe disability has been granted with an effective date of October 3, 2006.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed bilateral foot disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's gouty arthritis of the feet is currently rated at 20 percent, but less than the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The RO has granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records and medical evidence related to his claimed disabilities. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will be reviewed in light of a newly-amended regulation regarding stressor events. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has also been raised and is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and any related lower extremity disorders. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability will be deferred until further notice.