Other conditions decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected right elbow shrapnel wound is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his visual acuity and field of vision related to his service-connected left homonymous hemianopsia.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development and consideration of whether the appellant can be established as a surviving spouse of the veteran for VA benefits purposes.

The claim for a higher rating for myalgia, bilateral hips is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, including loss of all teeth, was denied as there is no evidence of dental trauma and the application for treatment was not submitted within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional 'awarded but unpaid' benefits, finding that she did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5121(a) and was only entitled to reimbursement for the veteran's last expenses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including hands, left shoulder, left lower extremity, left lateral hip, and feet including the right big toe, is etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran was found to have adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland, qualifying for nonservice-connected pension benefits effective December 4, 2004.

The veteran's service-connected skin disability results in tender lesions on each foot, which are rated as a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for each foot. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the spine may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to his active duty deployment and manual labor duties.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 25, 2005. The RO has ordered additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD symptoms and determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the claim.

The Board denied service connection for defective right ear hearing in May 1950, finding no evidence of a pre-existing condition. The RO later granted service connection based on new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death, as the evidence does not suggest any cause of death related to military service.

The veteran's medical expenses at EMMC from March 25, 2005 to April 3, 2005 are denied as he was stabilized on that date and VA could not accommodate his transfer.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Longview Regional Medical Center is being remanded due to the need to locate his original claims file and verify his enrollment in VA healthcare during the relevant time period.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA medical healthcare system was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria and his application was received after January 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bronchial pneumonia and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability remains pending.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and readjudication, including consideration of whether VA or other Federal facilities were feasibly available.