Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for hospitalization from October 9 to October 11, 2008 were not reimbursable because his condition had stabilized by the morning of October 9 and he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's organic psychotic disorder/dementia, including whether it is related to in-service head trauma. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that an initial increased rating of 50 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for a dental disorder was granted, with a rating of 20 percent and effective date not specified. The increased evaluation claim for his left supraclavicular wound muscle group (MG) XXII was also granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's gout disorder did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining more detailed information about the Veteran's employment and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish chronicity of the condition during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral heel spurs are not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability and did not manifest during active military service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current bilateral eye disability is related to his service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, which is not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's disability of the sternum, characterized by painful motion due to a healed injury, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of stomach ulcers that manifested during or as a result of active military service. The Veteran's separation examination did not reveal any chronic abdominal disability, and post-service treatment records do not demonstrate such a condition within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected right chest cavity residuals were rated at 20 percent prior to January 10, 2008 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for otitis externa of the right ear. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ear infections other than otitis externa of the right ear.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were reduced to zero percent ratings, effective September 1, 2006. The claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected delayed union of the right tibial shaft fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 23, 2006. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's lumbago is currently rated at 10 percent, and the service connection for kyphosis has been granted.