Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his left fifth finger disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be further reviewed and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Peyronie's Disease, as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia repair, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of encephalitis, including memory loss.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service treatment of gonorrhea, and thus denied service connection for residuals of gonorrhea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for flexor strain of the right hip is being remanded due to a lack of consideration of additional functional impairment during the appeal process. The RO must arrange for a VA orthopedic examination and consider whether 'staged rating' (assignment of different ratings for distinct periods of time, based on the facts found) is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and notification regarding what evidence is needed to reopen claims for service connection, DIC, and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and he is therefore entitled to service connection for the cause of his death. The VA also granted entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's right thumb disability is manifested by normal range of motion, hyperextensibility, decreased grip strength, and pain at the base of the thumb. The Board finds that a 10 percent rating is warranted for additional loss of function due to pain and weakness.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility was denied as VA did not provide prior authorization and the Veteran had coverage under Medicare Part A and Part B.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including consideration of whether preauthorization was received from VA for private emergency treatment.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a hospitalization at the East Jefferson Hospital from January 30, 2007, to February 19, 2007 is denied as he has coverage under a health-plan contract.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of his representative to respond and prepare a VA Form 646. The issue on appeal pertains to education benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill).

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications from a ventral hernia repair performed by VA in April 2007, including peritonitis and enterocutaneous fistula. The Board has ordered further development to determine if the complications were caused by VA medical care.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the current state of the Veteran's disability due to a shell fragment wound, including an examination of muscle group functioning and its impact on his ability to work. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as he did not submit the necessary information regarding his marriages and divorces in a timely manner.

The Board denied the appellant's attempt to reopen her claim for revocation of the forfeiture of entitlement to VA benefits previously declared against her, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Veteran is deemed incompetent to handle his VA benefits, including the disbursement of funds.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is related to his active service and the Board finds that he has established service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's income for the year 2006 exceeded the National Means Test threshold, and he was not eligible for treatment in VA's healthcare system without a copayment requirement.