Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's probable radial nerve injury is causally related to his service-connected right arm gunshot wound, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility to receive VA compensation benefits based on service in the American Merchant Marine from December 1945 to December 16, 1946. The appeal was dismissed as the appellant's deceased spouse had no recognized service in the Armed Forces for purposes of eligibility for compensation or pension.

The Veteran's impingement syndrome of the left supraspinatus tendon was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 1, 1996. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and nonservice-connected pension are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence to support the Veteran's claim for residuals of dysentery, and thus denied this claim. The other issues regarding stomach and intestinal disorder, dizziness, and nervousness are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's net worth is excessive for receipt of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a right thumb disability is denied as the Veteran failed to cooperate with VA examinations, resulting in a lack of necessary evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Benefits Healthcare. The denial is based on the fact that the treatment was not considered an emergency by a prudent layperson and did not meet the criteria for emergency services under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA non-service-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for defective hearing in the right ear, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has requested an expert medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right inguinal hernia is related to his active service. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records of the March 1989 hernia surgery and requesting a specific internal medicine doctor's opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected gastritis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there is no evidence of severe impairment of health or multiple small or erosive areas on endoscopy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service and whether this exposure caused his lymphoma resulting in his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his military service, including any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service for the purpose of obtaining the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for the purpose of receiving a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for entitlement to Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of legal entitlement under applicable provisions.

The Board denied the Appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service with the New Philippine Scouts does not meet the criteria for active military service with the Armed Forces of the United States, and therefore the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for death pension benefits.