Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling an examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and chronic peritendinitis, is rated at 10 percent, and an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for tachycardia with atrial fibrillation, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for the veteran to clarify his preference for a hearing and be scheduled accordingly.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the left and right legs were remanded to obtain additional evidence, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of emergency services at a non-VA facility on September 7, 2005, was granted as the medical services were rendered in an emergency situation where delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board remanded the case to the RO for further development, including requesting medical records from Stillwater Family Practice and providing notice regarding the denial of service connection for headaches and hearing loss.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing proper notice.

The veteran was granted an earlier effective date of June 11, 1999, for service connection for status post total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy secondary to endometriosis.

The appellant's request for waiver of the overpayment was not timely filed, as it was submitted more than 180 days after notice of the indebtedness.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's cholesteatoma and whether it is related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's ulcerative esophagitis was most likely caused by steroidal medications prescribed following his VA hospitalization, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder was reopened and granted, while the claims for a neck tumor and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD were remanded.

The veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.

The veteran's son was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support before attaining the age of 18, and therefore is not entitled to helpless child benefits.

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological condition of the left arm.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including notification and examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's varicose veins.

The veteran's traumatic retinopathy of the left eye, status-post cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant, has been manifested by blindness (only light perception in the left eye), and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The appeal is remanded for additional development and notice to the appellant.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a total and permanent rating for accrued benefits purposes as no service-connected disability compensation claim was pending at the time of the veteran's death.