Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses for non-emergent medical services for a nonservice-connected disability incurred at a non-VA medical facility on May 11, 2005, was denied because the delay in seeking immediate medical attention did not pose a hazard to life or health and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development.

The Board concluded that interstitial respiratory disease was incurred in service due to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of injuries to his left (minor) little and ring fingers, as well as a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran was denied basic eligibility for enrollment in the VA medical healthcare system because he does not meet any of the priority categories for which he could be enrolled.

The appellant's delimiting date for receipt of educational benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code was extended due to an administrative error that prevented proper notification.

The appellant's husband did not have qualifying active service for purposes of VA death benefits.

The veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer was granted a 40 percent disability evaluation, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The veteran's countable annual income for 2006, 2007, and 2008 exceeded the maximum annual income for VA improved disability pension benefits for a veteran with one dependent at the aid and attendance rate.

The veteran was not enrolled in the VA healthcare system and did not receive medical services under authority of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 within the 24-month period preceding his private hospitalization, thus he is not eligible for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The veteran's medical expenses for treatment on March 22, 2003 were granted as the treatment was emergent and a VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than October 28, 1999, for the grant of TDIU.

The veteran's impaired vision is not the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence that it is proximately due to or chronically worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's request for educational benefits for on-the-job training with the Nassau County Police Department from March 2005 to March 2006 was denied because he was already considered qualified due to prior police training.

The veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, and his right (major) Muscle Group I injury with a partial right winged scapula has also been rated at 20 percent.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for the veteran to be afforded a Board videoconference hearing.

The veteran's right shoulder disability was granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent as of October 18, 2007, based on limitation of motion.

The Board granted service connection for that portion of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) that was aggravated by the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement for the cost of unauthorized home improvement and structural alterations was denied as no medical emergency existed such that a delay in the installation would have been hazardous to his life or health.

The veteran's request to reopen a previously disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic dental disorder, to include for the purpose of obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment, was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.