Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any respiratory conditions are related to the veteran's service or aggravated during his second period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, lower back pain, migraine headaches, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis. The right fifth metacarpal head fracture residuals were granted with a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymic disorder, which is service-connected, results in total occupational and social impairment from June 15, 2004. As a result, an initial rating of 100 percent for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claimed residuals of septoplasty were evaluated as noncompensable from June 1, 2002 through May 26, 2008 and 10 percent disabling from May 27, 2008. The appeals are denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's current pain is not related to his previous mandible fracture, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at John Muir Medical Center from June 17, 2004 to June 24, 2004 are now eligible for reimbursement due to the emergent nature of his condition and lack of feasible VA or other Federal facilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a stomach condition/colitis or bilateral leg arthritis, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, secondary service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral foot disorder, to include hallux rigidus, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's myasthenia gravis is related to his exposure to radiation during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at North Georgia Radiology on February 2, 2008 is being remanded to the VAMC.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions and denied service connection for bilateral otitis media, bilateral conjunctivitis, and anemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burns to his lungs and increased initial ratings for PTSD and burns to his hands, face, arms and neck. The veteran was not granted service connection for burns to his lungs due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or after service. For PTSD, the rating assigned was 10 percent prior to June 14, 2007, and increased to 100 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran has never been diagnosed with silicosis and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and shortness of breath, attributing these symptoms to anxiety disorder rather than an undiagnosed illness or a known clinical diagnosis. The claim for service connection for anxiety was also denied.

The appellant's recognized guerilla service from July 1945 to February 1946 does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder has been rated as 100 percent disabling since January 18, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence clearly and convincingly leaves no doubt that the veteran is not competent to handle his VA funds due to his psychiatric condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation for his dependent spouse, M, is denied. The effective date is set at October 1, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, claimed as secondary to poisoning from drinking from a lister bag, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.