Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bronchiectasis with pseudomonas colonization was productive of a daily productive cough with sputum that was at times purulent and required prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic usage more than twice a year from October 23, 2003 to May 23, 2008. Therefore, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for this period.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of legal merit or entitlement based on her spouse's service as a recognized guerrilla during World War II.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and xerostomia have been granted an initial compensable rating of 20 percent.

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

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred as a result of medical transportation services provided by LaFarge Area EMS on September 11, 2005 is granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hidradenitis suppurativa was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an automobile and adaptive equipment has been withdrawn by his representative, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran seeks service connection for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need to obtain Army Reserve medical records from 1960-1964.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and her authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board found that the reduction of a 100% rating for postoperative residuals of adenocarcinoma left upper lobe of the lung to a 60% rating effective October 1, 2004 was proper based on evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's knees. The focus is on determining whether any current knee disorders are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ syndrome is not related to her service-connected headaches, and thus denied her claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current chest disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritic changes of the skeleton and costochondritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence linking any current chest disability to his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore finds that service connection for residuals of a back injury is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand warrants a 20 percent evaluation, but his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant higher evaluations. The scar of the nose does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for neuralgia of the left trigeminal nerve and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective May 8, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoporosis is secondary to her service-connected total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and grants service connection for this condition.