Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cancer is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including an addendum medical opinion regarding the right eye cataract and VA examinations for hernias and scars.

The veteran's appeal is about an increased evaluation for his service-connected filariasis, which was previously rated at 30 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of jaw reconstruction (right inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia) but denied service connection for gastroenteritis and right elbow disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits due to a certification from the service department stating that he had no recognized service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to his bilateral upper extremities, finding no current disability. However, the veteran currently suffers from a burning sensation in his feet as a result of his inservice cold injury to the lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an orthopedic disability affecting both hands (claimed as arthritis), a bilateral ankle disability, a low back disability, and a nasal deformity with a deviated septum. The decision concluded that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the appellant had no recognized service for VA benefit purposes and denied his claim for basic eligibility for VA disability compensation and pension benefits.

The Board has restored the veteran's 40 percent rating for Lyme disease, finding that there was not sustained material improvement in his residuals of the condition and that the examinations used to reduce the rating were less complete than earlier ones.

The Board found that the recoupment of separation pay by withholding VA disability compensation in the amount of $13,037.57 was proper under applicable law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left great toe injuries are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disorder, and any current conditions are not shown to be related to active service.

The Board found that VA facilities are geographically accessible and capable of providing the required care, thus denying the appellant's request for authorization to use non-VA medical services.

The Board found that the veteran's death in 1998 was not caused by any service-connected disability, including his right eye cataract.

The Board found that the appellant's net worth is excessive for receiving death pension benefits with special monthly pension, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected traumatic arthritis, residual of fracture, left distal radius warrants a 10 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his death to any incident of service.

The Board found that the decedent did not have recognized service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. As a result, the appellant's claim for VA benefits based on claimed service is denied.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility from November 4, 2002, through November 6, 2002 is denied as prior authorization was not obtained and the criteria for payment under VA regulations were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility on November 19, 2001. The decision stated that the veteran did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.