Other conditions decisions — 2009

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected duodenal ulcer disability is being remanded for additional development.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling of a Board hearing.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a contusion of the right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve have been manifested by mild paralysis of the right thigh, and an initial compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for deteriorating eyesight in the left eye, an increased rating for panic disorder, and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's mood disorder was rated at 30 percent, effective September 12, 2005. Service connection for bilateral Morton's foot was denied.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring, Florida on December 30, 2004 was denied because the evidence did not show that his condition required emergent care and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The termination of the veteran's VA compensation from October 7, 2003, to February 15, 2005, on the basis of him being incorrectly classified as a fugitive felon was improper.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred from May 1995 to December 1995 was denied because it was not shown that VA facilities were not geographically accessible or capable of providing the necessary care.

The veteran's hiatal hernia was granted a disability rating of 30 percent, effective October 17, 2006, due to persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia and regurgitation.

The veteran's service-connected residuals, pubic bone stress fracture disability is not manifested by a limitation of abduction of the bilateral thigh such that motion is lost beyond 10 degrees.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral varicose veins is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a laminectomy and disc rupture at L4-5 results in limitation of motion of the lumbar spine including a reduction of forward flexion to 45 degrees; also associated therewith are pain, muscle spasm, frequent flare-ups, and significant functional limitations as to lifting, driving, and sitting or standing.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, as there was no evidence that the veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially or materially contributed to his death.

The veteran's cold injury residuals of the right and left foot do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, and he does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The claim for service connection for a skin disorder was reopened, but further evidentiary development is needed before adjudicating the merits. The claim for service connection for a bilateral lung disorder was denied.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent initial rating for his service-connected epididymitis/orchitis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected PTSD alone necessitates regular aid and attendance, nor does he have a single 100% disabling service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability and a gastrointestinal disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the conditions were not shown to be related to military service.