Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from SSA. The case will be readjudicated after all available evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA eye examination to determine the relationship between his right and left eye disabilities, including whether the right eye disability was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions. The increased rating claim for the left eye disability will also be deferred pending resolution of the right eye claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues with a Travel Board hearing, and no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's cancer of the larynx and oral cavity was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a hearing at the RO. The claim will be reconsidered after scheduling this hearing.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on December 22, 2007 is denied as the treatment was not rendered for a service-connected disability and there were no emergency circumstances warranting immediate medical attention.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity and all manifestations of his service-connected cold injury residuals to his right and left ears. All relevant medical records should also be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected traumatic amputation of the right index and middle fingers, as well as unfavorable ankylosis of the right ring and little fingers, have been denied. The highest possible schedular ratings are already in place.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of injury to the left hand has been reopened and granted. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, but a separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for dysthymic disorder. TDIU is also granted.

The Board determined that the Veteran's residuals of a total abdominal hysterectomy with left salpingo-oophorectomy are not related to her service and denied her claim.

The Board found that the evidence does not show a causal relationship between the Veteran's service and his benign vascular neoplasm, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough, including as secondary to asbestos exposure. This includes obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting another VA examination, and assessing the etiology of any current respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the October 1988 RO decision does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to death benefits from VA, as it fails to address the second element required for a surviving spouse status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral facial palsy of the 5th and 7th cranial nerves, as well as headaches associated with TMJ, have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for each condition.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to evaluate the Veteran's somatoform disorder and determine his eligibility for a TDIU. The RO must arrange for examinations, obtain additional records, and adjudicate the claims in accordance with the instructions provided.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia and a TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, development of records, and consideration of whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx is related to his in-service herbicide exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's prostate disorder to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and need for further medical opinion regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected conditions contributed to it.