Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 10, 2006 to February 14, 2006 at MedCenter One Health System were not authorized by VA and he did not receive care or services under the authority of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 within the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of the emergency treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg fracture as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of such injury during or after his period of active duty.

The case is being remanded to clarify the relationship between the appellant and the deceased veteran, as well as determine if the deceased's service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army qualifies for VA benefits. The appeal will be reviewed again after these issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin condition, diagnosed as dermatitis, did not begin during or was otherwise caused by his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a skin disorder, characterized as episodic sebaceous cysts, is granted based on continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's active duty for training and inactive duty for training periods. The claim will be reconsidered after these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a skin disorder, respiratory disorder, or liver disorder that is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of an injury or disease to his skin.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's narcolepsy was incurred during service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected shell fragment wound residuals, finding that the current 10 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's current lung disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to his military service, including as due to asbestos exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for a displaced fracture of the right thumb remains at 10 percent, as his disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder, including an amputated right leg. As such, the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: the creation and waiver of an overpayment of DIC benefits, and the addition of her current spouse as a dependent on her compensation award. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and determine if the effective date for adding her spouse should be based on when she submitted evidence or VA requested it.

The Veteran's cause of death was related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is presumed by VA to have been caused by herbicide exposure. The appellant seeks an earlier effective date for DIC benefits based on the Veteran's death in March 1996, but her appeal has been dismissed as she did not challenge the effective date assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for upper back, left hip, and lower back disabilities was granted with an effective date of May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VA examinations.