Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that additional efforts are required to verify the Veteran's service in Vietnam, which is necessary for determining if he was exposed to herbicides and thus entitled to presumptive service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for these efforts.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating of 10 percent is warranted for the Veteran's laceration of the left hand since August 14, 2007. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Johnson City Medical Center from September 12, 2008 through September 20, 2008 are covered by VA. However, the expenses incurred on September 21, 2008 are not covered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive-psychotic disorder as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip condition does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder was not caused by any incident in service, and is not secondary to or aggravated by any service connected disorders. Therefore, service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is not warranted.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the Veteran's disability.

The Veteran's gout is manifested by two flare-ups per year, and a 20% evaluation has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and verifying the Veteran's presence on board a ship during his active duty. The VA will also schedule an examination to determine if any diagnosed lung pathology is related to the Veteran's active service or exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right wrist and for service connection for a left shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected right wrist fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the distal fibula, right ankle is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his VA examination report from 1980 and treatment reports from Alina Medical. The issue will be reconsidered with the possibility of direct service connection taking into account the results of the 1980 VA examination.

The Board found no credible evidence of a right foot fracture in service or current disability, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence presented by the Appellant. However, further development is needed before deciding the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's transitional cell cancer of the bladder, status post radical cystoprostatectomy and ileoconduit is considered an additional disability resulting from VA treatment. The delay in diagnosis was due to carelessness or negligence on VA's part, leading to a more severe surgery than necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right great toe disability and total abdominal hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy were incurred during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for a post-operative status, recurrent ventral hernia from 20 percent to noncompensable was proper.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disorder of the feet and legs. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. B.H., conducting an examination to determine the etiology of any current skin disorder, and ensuring all evidence received since July 2009 is considered.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has cold injury residuals and whether they are related to his service in Germany during World War II.