Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from July 27, 2008 to July 30, 2008 were rendered in a continuing medical emergency. VA facilities were not feasibly available to provide the unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from July 27, 2008 to July 30, 2008.

The appellant is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits from June 1, 2001 to February 28, 2009 due to her failure to be enrolled in Medicare Part B.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises. The case is being remanded to schedule a Board video-conference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hand and shin disorders, skeletal arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions during or within one year after his active service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim, including review of newly submitted evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a new SSOC reflecting this consideration.

The Veteran died of pneumonia and dementia. The Board finds that neither condition is service connected, nor does any service-connected disability contribute to the cause of death.

The Veteran's skin condition and breathing problems are related to his service, with the Board finding that they are not due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum from the May 2010 VA examiner to address whether the gastroesophageal diverticulum is related to his service-connected major aphthous stomatitis.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder in service and insufficient credible supporting evidence for the claimed PTSD stressor. The Veteran's current back pain is not related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disability of the right hand was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's skin condition, Telangiectasia Macularis Eruptive Persistans (TMEP), was rated at the maximum disability rating of 60% effective June 14, 2010. The condition affects more than 40 percent of her total body area and is not considered exceptional or unusual.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of March 1991 remains on appeal. Additional development is required to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for deformity of the feet.

The appellant's annual income exceeded the maximum allowable for improved death pension benefits, resulting in denial of her claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right inguinal hernia residuals was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted a compensable rating prior to July 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent right leg cellulitis cannot be granted as there is no current disability and no evidence of recurrence since his last treatment in 2001 or 2002.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome during and after military service, and the Board finds that this condition is related to his active duty. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's eye disability was not caused or aggravated by VA care, and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease was initially rated at 30 percent effective November 15, 2002. Since January 11, 2010, the disability has been rated as 60 percent due to severe episodes of diarrhea and constant or near-constant purulent discharge from a rectal fistula.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity are related to service and grants his claim for service connection.