Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for costochondritis and assigned a non-compensable rating for the Veteran's hiatal hernia.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected disseminated coccidioidomycosis rating from 100% to zero percent, effective October 1, 2007, was proper. Separate ratings were assigned for various manifestations and residuals of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected filariasis is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as whether he is unemployable due to these conditions. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining relevant SSA records and ensuring all necessary medical records are obtained.

The Board determined that the appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits as she did not become permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18 years.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Munroe Regional Medical Center from February 16, 2007, to February 19, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for facial abrasions was denied. The claims for increased evaluations for left wrist fracture residuals, right wrist fracture residuals, and abdominal scar were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's condition met the criteria for emergency medical care under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act. The VAMC is instructed to obtain relevant VA records, including those pertaining to the Veteran's treatment for coronary artery disease at a VA facility in Fresno, California, within 24 months prior to his January 2005 hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Raynaud's phenomenon, diagnosed as a result of an in-service frostbite injury, is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical services provided at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center is being remanded due to the need for additional records and information.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating effective from August 30, 2005. The criteria for TDIU have also been met.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 21, 2003, for service connection of his disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the service connection claims for a right hand injury and pneumonia.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU due to residuals of a left clavicle fracture was denied. The RO/AMC found that the disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the bilateral hands, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of the issue.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA pension benefits was deemed valid due to his failure to submit an eligibility verification report. The request for a waiver of the debt was not timely, and thus denied.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia and assigned a 10 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches as a residual of head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia effective January 11, 2005 and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's duodenal ulcer disability is manifested by evidence of dumping syndrome, anemia, some weight loss, epigastric pain, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, postprandial nausea, dizziness, diaphoresis, and diarrhea several times a week. The criteria for an evaluation of 40 percent, and not higher, for duodenal ulcer have been more nearly approximated.