Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected right knee laxity with patellar tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent. The surgery for left eye cataract required a one-month period of convalescence, resulting in a temporary total rating from January 10, 2007 to February 14, 2007. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for aphakia of the right eye with left eye cataract was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a fractured coccyx. The issue regarding her stomach disorder, as secondary to treatment for residuals of a fractured coccyx, is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the abdomen was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at the Orlando Regional Medical Center from May 2-7, 2005 were denied as there was no authorization or preapproval for VA payment and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further adjudication due to the need for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Dr. JC.

The Veteran's Epstein-Barr virus infection was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a dental disability for compensation purposes due to missing replaceable teeth, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders, finding no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as secondary to a low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected status post T7 compression fracture was rated at 10 percent prior to November 4, 2008. Beginning on November 4, 2008, the rating was increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for fungus of the groin and bilateral feet.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to be service-connected due to his active duty in Vietnam, and the Board grants this claim.

The Board has vacated its previous decision denying service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, secondary to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange due to a failure to consider certain regulations. The claim is denied as there was no in-country service and thus no presumption of exposure to Agent Orange applies. There is also insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service or to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA dental examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental trauma will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA dental examination and readjudicating his claims. The issues include service connection for a dental disorder other than teeth 24-26, reopening of his bipolar affective disorder claim, and reopening of his right knee disability claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiomegaly with aortic deficiency was permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disability, which is inextricably intertwined with the issue of increased rating for residuals of rheumatic fever. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for verification of the appellant's service records and social security numbers.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for myasthenia gravis is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new travel board hearing.