Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's recurrent growths and cysts were found to be incurred in service, resulting in a grant of service connection. The initial rating for PTSD was also granted at 50 percent.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bladder disorder, but determined that there was no reasonable possibility that the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's deviated septum with respiratory difficulties did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his nasal obstruction was less than 50% in both sides and he did not have incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's death was caused by cancer of the larynx and liver, which is service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the cause of death was related to his service-connected laryngectomy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for cause of death, resulting in a denial.

The Board found that the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred at Manatee Memorial Hospital from January 5 to January 7, 2009 were not met as VA's determination was based on the Veteran's stable condition and ability to be transferred to a VA facility.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of legal entitlement to VA disability benefits and for one-time payment from the FVECF due to a lack of qualifying service. The service department certified that the appellant did not have the requisite military service to establish eligibility.

The Board determined that the Veteran's pension benefits were terminated due to excessive income and denied his request for restoration of Section 306 disability pension benefits on or after January 1, 1979. The effective date for improved pension benefits was established as January 1, 1979.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from January 23-25, 2010 at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville were denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations due to his lack of service-connected disabilities and the nature of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and an appropriate VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance expenses incurred on October 16, 2010 is being remanded due to the VAMC failing to apply the correct laws and regulations governing this claim.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate or moderately severe symptoms.

The evidence does not show a current disability of the left elbow, and there is no medical nexus linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board denied the claim, finding that Graves' disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The RO reduced the Veteran's heart valve disability rating from 100% to 60%, effective November 1, 2008. The reduction was proper as it followed applicable procedures and there had been sustained improvement in the severity of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with gastritis is manifested by recurrent incapacitating episodes averaging ten days or more in duration at least four or more times a year, warranting a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's residuals of a pelvic fracture with left hip pain are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his current range of motion.