Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses provided by Saint Vincent Medical Group from March 26, 2008, to March 28, 2008 is denied because the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been productive of occupational and social impairment that more nearly reduced reliability and productivity than deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board is unable to make a determination on the merits of the Veteran's claim due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his lung disability. The case is being remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's service with the Philippine Scouts from May 1946 to April 1949 does not qualify for VA death pension benefits due to a specific exclusion in the law.

The Board 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, and therefore denied legal entitlement to this benefit.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a claim for VA death benefits filed in 1997 or on June 23, 2008. The earliest document indicating such a claim was the September 3, 2008 letter from VA to the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and extension of a 100% disability evaluation for malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system was denied as there is no evidence prior to November 24, 2008 indicating intent to apply for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left foot callous was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating. The claims for service connection for right knee disability, depression, and tinnitus were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The August 1954 rating decision is final, and the criteria for reopening the claim are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected status post septorhinoplasty for nasal fracture does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's chronic right arm disability, including radial nerve pain, is not service-connected as her current symptoms are related to pre-existing conditions and do not meet the criteria for a separate disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected degenerative changes of the thoracic spine is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, which was previously rated as 40 percent disabling, is now rated at 60 percent effective February 5, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is not related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is seeking benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability, specifically numbness and weakness of the right hand and arm, resulting from VA surgical treatment in July 2004. The case has been remanded due to missing consent form and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected dental disability, including the residuals of a cyst removal and extraction of teeth numbered 24 and 25, does not warrant a compensable rating as his condition is adequately addressed by existing noncompensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as clarification on whether the Veteran wants a hearing.