Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran seeks service connection for essential tremors, to include as secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The Board finds that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED.

The Board found that the Veteran's right inguinal disability, claimed as a hydrocele or hernia, was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary emphysema was reopened and granted. His evaluation for spina bifida occulta with recurrent lumbar strain prior to October 31, 2007, was increased from 20 percent to 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout of the hands, feet, and elbows has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and DEERS file.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting information on the character of discharge for the appellant's period of active duty from February 25, 1970, to January 17, 1972.

The Board denied service connection for choriocarcinoma of the lungs and liver, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident of service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current dissociative episodes and his in-service head injury. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that rectal cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed based on the one-year presumption for a chronic disease. The Veteran's prostate cancer did not cause or aggravate his rectal cancer, nor is there evidence of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral groin strain, right hand (claimed as right knuckle), and gum disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depressive neurosis and appendectomy) prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, given his educational background and work experience as a painter. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 1999 administrative decision is not new and material, and thus does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for residuals of battery acid in the eyes. As such, the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses he incurred in Nassau, Bahamas due to gastrointestinal bleeding. The Board found that since the treatment was not for a service-connected disability and did not aggravate a service-connected disability, payment could not be made.

The Veteran's service is not considered wartime military service, and therefore does not meet the requirements for pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case to accommodate the appellant's request for a personal hearing before a member of the Travel Board at the Manila RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, sepsis due to or as a consequence of central line infection, was not caused by service and did not find any fault on VA's part. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or persistent or recurrent residual disorder related to an injury of the toes of the right foot in service. The Veteran's current decreased sensitivity in the toes of the right foot first manifested many years after service and is not related to any aspect of active service.