Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a spine examination.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence supporting the determination that the appellant was facing a general court-martial at the time of his request for an undesirable discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial.

The Veteran's irritable/inflammatory bowel syndrome is presumed to be incurred in active service. The claim for alpha thalassemia remains pending as the evidence does not establish a connection with service.

The Veteran's current right rotator cuff tendonitis is etiologically related to her active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of tarsal tunnel syndrome (clamed as bilateral great toe numbness) remains pending.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for additional compensation for his dependent son, S., who was enrolled in school after age 18. The Board finds that the claim is denied as the evidence does not show a timely submission of a VA Form 21-674 regarding continuation of benefits for S.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is incompetent to handle disbursement of VA funds and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right eye disability with visual impairment and aphakia is denied as the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the treatment he received at Midland Memorial Hospital, a private facility, did not meet the legal requirements of the statute.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder, but denied it on its merits. The case is being remanded to send the appellant a copy of the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case and allow additional development.

The Veteran's left leg muscle injury residuals are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. He is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for an associated muscle disability to muscle group XI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increase in non-service-connected disability pension benefits based on unreimbursed medical expenses for the calendar year 2007, finding that these expenses do not constitute unreimbursed medical expenses eligible for deduction from income for VA pension purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for carcinoma of the nasopharynx and spousal aid and attendance benefits. The decision is final as it was not appealed to the Court.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund is denied because the Veteran's death occurred before the appellant filed her claim, and she does not have qualifying service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's evaluation for calcified pleural plaque on the left lung from 30 percent to 10 percent was proper and has granted a 10 percent rating effective December 1, 2010. The Veteran is also entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to December 1, 2010, but not in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a sebaceous cyst/perianal mass was denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions or functional impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting right testicle condition was not aggravated by his military service and that his post-service surgery is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated appropriately, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.