Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board determined that the Appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits as he does not meet the legal requirements to be considered a child of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, calcified granuloma, claimed as tumor of the left lung due to exposure to asbestos. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development and review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO/AMC for additional examinations and readjudication of his claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right forearm.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and pulmonary function test results.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an alleged conflict in the factual premise of a VA psychiatric opinion. The Veteran is to be provided with a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology and, if feasible, date of onset of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his alcohol abuse disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for heart disease, pre-diabetes, hypertension, and eye problems must also be considered.

The Board has ordered a remand to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed asbestos exposure and lung disorder, including seeking information about Quonset huts and ammunition bunkers in Korea and California that may have contained asbestos. The Veteran is also to be afforded a VA examination by a pulmonary specialist who is a certified 'B Reader' to determine the current nature and likely etiology of his lung disease.

The Veteran's service treatment records show he was treated for chronic prostatitis in service, but the condition resolved prior to separation. The VA examiner concluded that his current diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not related to his service and provided a rationale based on current medical knowledge.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic stomach disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current stomach disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder and tinea versicolor, as well as his claim for an increased rating for reactive airway disease. The decision concluded that there was no evidence of dental trauma or loss of substance of the mandible or maxilla during service, nor current residuals thereof. For tinea versicolor, the Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection. For reactive airway disease, the Board determined that a higher rating than 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibrocystic breast disease and microcytic anemia were denied as there was no evidence of the required severity to warrant a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating, as his disability does not meet criteria for an amputation or significant interference with hand function.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of overpayment due to a lack of timely application, as her claim was received more than 180 days after initial notification of the indebtedness.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected epididymitis, right with residuals. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the condition and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran died in May 1978 while on active duty. The appellant, as the surviving parent, is not entitled to Parents' DIC benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual limit set by law at the aid and attendance (A&A) rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding no current disability linked to his military service and rejecting any presumption based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of indebtedness due to her failure to timely file her request, as she did not notify VA of her new address in Arizona until October 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic spine strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at a private hospital is denied as the Veteran has Medicare coverage, which precludes payment or reimbursement.