Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of pneumothorax and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the May 2008 rating decision. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) was denied as April 21, 2008 is the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a head injury and an acquired eye disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's son, C.L.B., was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 and is therefore not recognized as a 'helpless child'.

The Veteran's aortic valve replacement and myocardial revascularization surgery resulted in additional disability, which the Board finds was not due to his willful misconduct. The proximate cause of this additional disability is attributed to VA's failure to exercise proper care during the surgical treatment.

The Veteran's overpayment was created due to his status as a fugitive felon, and the debt is denied because repayment would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's non-service connected pension benefits were terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum allowable amount. The Board has ordered a remand for further action, including informing the Veteran of eligibility requirements and allowing him to submit evidence regarding unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses is denied because the VA facilities were available to him and he chose not to be transferred, making further reimbursement at a private facility ineligible.

The Board found that the Veteran's left orchitis, manifested by atrophy of one testis, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it did not result in symptoms such as long-term drug therapy, frequent hospitalizations, or intermittent intensive management.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to peptic ulcer disease resulting from VA treatment is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the status of a private physician who treated his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, not to include tooth number 9, for compensation purposes is denied due to the lack of evidence of in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to further development being required, including consideration of allegations of fraud and additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current leg condition, including varicose veins, was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized arthritis and gout resulted from his active duty service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition did not have onset during service and is not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected sterility and entitlement to SMC were granted effective April 21, 2003.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sterility was denied.

The Veteran's left hip disability was rated as analogous to a moderate disability of the left hip prior to December 19, 2006. From February 1, 2008, he is shown to have had a status post left total hip replacement with symptoms of pain and decreased range of motion in the left hip.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any gastrointestinal disorder and there is no evidence linking such a condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's spine disability is related to her service-connected residual scar from laceration above the right knee and clarifying the etiology of her diagnosed chronic thoracic musculoligamentous strain.