Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 15, 1998 for the grant of service connection for a voice disorder with chronic laryngitis and mild bowing of the vocal cords is dismissed due to lack of legal authority.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-operative hallux valgus of both feet, as they are already rated at the maximum 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5280.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to service, and the Board finds that his claim for residuals of bilateral foot injuries cannot be granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Veteran prior to its decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred during hospitalization from February 15 to 17, 2006 at O.H. Hospital because the treatment was not for a continued medical emergency and did not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial rating and earlier effective date for a separate disability rating for neurological impairment of the left lower extremity are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's right testicular atrophy was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran has both testicles, contradicting his assertion of a surgically removed right testicle.

The Board finds that the appellant as likely as not suffers from a recurrent, but chronic pulmonary disease process that had its clinical onset due to events that happened during his period of active duty for training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulnar nerve disorder in both elbows and a bilateral hand disorder, as well as her request for an increased evaluation for cervical spine disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was initially rated as zero percent prior to June 9, 2003 and increased to ten percent effective June 9, 2003.

The Veteran's right arm disorder was not found to be service-connected. His PTSD is rated at 70% and does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right upper forearm was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for prurigo nodularis, finding that the Veteran's skin condition first manifested in service and is related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pneumothorax is being remanded due to the need for a VA pulmonary examination and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disorder is secondary to his service-connected back disability. The case will be returned for further development and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting neurofibromatosis was not aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's deviated septum, status post septoplasty, finding that the current symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral subtalar coalition with spurring and arthritis warrants a 30 percent rating for each foot, effective from the date of the March 2004 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence was submitted, and his discharge from service was dishonorable for VA purposes.