Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his gouty arthropathy.

The VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida denied the Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided by University Community Hospital (UCH) of Tampa, Florida from October 24, 2006 to November 24, 2006, pursuant to the Millennium Bill Act.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shin fractures and right leg compartment pain in the calf are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities separate from his already service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture or left ankle surgery.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current toenail disorder and squamous cell carcinoma of the bilateral tonsillar nodes, specifically his exposure to jet fuel during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits, including death pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, effective from April 1, 2004. The RO has granted increased ratings to the current noncompensable evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and bipolar disorder, right knee condition, and left inguinal hernia are pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the legs and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, to include as secondary to residuals of shell fragment wounds of the legs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development and consideration, including review of new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for DLE due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disability and the claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities. The Veteran's STRs showed no chronic sinusitis, but he was diagnosed with allergic rhinitis post-service. His VA examinations did not find him to have chronic sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service to be eligible for the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of varicose veins. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and evidence from the Veteran, is necessary before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's current trochanteric bursitis of the left hip is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for essential tremor, with the condition being considered directly related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA purposes, based on her long-term relationship and public acknowledgment as a married couple.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of multiple joints is not due to an event or incident during his period of service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's eye disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his bilateral foot calluses and corns were also not found to be related to service. The Board denied both issues.