Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of elevated liver enzymes and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's right wrist tendonitis does not warrant a compensable rating as it did not result in significant limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The veteran's claim for non service-connected pension benefits was denied as she did not serve during a period of war. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of her diagnosed bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent for residuals, post-operative arthrotomy and pateloplasty, right knee is warranted due to the presence of locking and effusion. The traumatic arthritis of the right knee does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran died from a service-connected condition, but the appellant's eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits is denied as she did not file her claim within the 10-year period of eligibility.

The Board has determined that the appellant's emergency medical services provided from March 18, 2004 to April 18, 2004 were reasonable and necessary under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act. The veteran was found to have a condition of such severity (aortic dissection) that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his life or health.

The veteran's appeal is about service connection for residuals of surgery for larynx cancer, claimed as secondary to his service-connected suppurative otitis media. The issue of an increased rating for the right ear has already been addressed and denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date are being remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The VA determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for dengue fever and heart problems were denied, with no new evidence provided to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's sleep disorder is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gout is aggravated by his service-connected right thigh gun shot wound, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and in-service hospitalizations.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between the veteran's diagnosed Barrett's esophagus with hiatal hernia and active military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's lichen simplex skin condition, which involves approximately 17% of her total body surface and 25-20% of exposed areas. The rating is based on the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7806 effective August 30, 2002.

The Board has ordered the RO to provide appropriate VA examinations for left facial and upper extremity symptoms, as well as facial herpes. The veteran's claims file was not reviewed during these examinations, so a new addendum is required from the examiner who conducted the July 2007 skin examination. Additionally, an SSOC should be issued regarding the service connection claim for facial herpes, and another one for left facial and upper extremity symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disease on a direct basis, an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic inactive pulmonary histoplasmosis with COPD, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his PTSD claim.

The case is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on the issue of reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the veteran at Good Samaritan Medical Center during treatment from July 22 to July 27, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle pain are not service-connected.,However, the veteran's muscle pain is found to be related to his active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left leg disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and VCAA notice.

The VA determined that the veteran's lung disorder is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.