Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and consideration of the issues related to service connection for an eye disorder, secondary service connection for Bell's Palsy, and evaluation of cervical disc disease with radiculitis.

The Veteran's left eye cataract surgery resulted in permanent blindness, but the Board finds no fault on VA's part and denies compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, a small bowel obstruction, was related to his service-connected residuals of a wound to the abdomen. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's subarachnoid hemorrhage, secondary to arteriovenous malformation, is not related to his in-service head injury and thus denied service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disability and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's son, S.N., was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental defect at his 18th birthday. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left lower lobe lobectomy was denied as his pulmonary function tests did not show incapacitating episodes or prolonged usage of antibiotics. The current disability picture does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking any aspect of the Veteran's service with the conditions that led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg injury and any related skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left elbow disability was denied as the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his status post left carpal and metacarpal fusion is 10 percent, which he does not contest. The VA examinations found that the interphalangeal joint motion in the left thumb had a range of zero to 40 degrees, indicating no unfavorable ankylosis.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected right leg varicose veins do not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula have been productive of full flexion to 130 degrees without pain or further decrease in motion after repetition, but not ankylosis of any joint. The Board found that these symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of an enlarged prostate is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his numbness in the fingertips and a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran incurred unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital from March 10, 2006 to March 29, 2006. The VA denied payment because the Veteran was considered stable enough for transfer to a VA facility on March 10, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthralgias were not incurred in or caused by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected calcified granuloma, left lung, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling effective June 4, 2008. The Veteran's onychomycosis of the toenails has not resulted in a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder is manifested by pain and marked limitation of ankle motion. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 20 percent are met, granting an increased schedular evaluation.