Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral pes planovalgus has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 1, 2007. The December 2010 VA examination found severe bilateral pes planovalgus with objective evidence of marked deformity and swelling on use.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not deemed to be the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination (including the prescription of Humira).

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood, secondary to his service-connected paralysis of the right wrist status post excision of right forearm lymphangioma, is currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is appealing a noncompensable evaluation for his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotion and conduct. The appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, including due to exposure to herbicides. The cause of death was pneumonia resulting from metastatic rectal cancer.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension as his only recognized service was as a Philippine Scout under the command of the United States Army, and he is not legally entitled to any such benefit.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lakeland Regional Medical Center from March 7 to March 9, 2004 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The appellant requested a withdrawal of her claim for a higher apportionment of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits on behalf of his dependent child, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to this request.

The Board found that the December 1999 rating decision granting service connection for a skin rash due to an undiagnosed illness was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus denying the request to sever this service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left hand disability.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity was aggravated by his service-connected injury. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected hallux valgus were denied. The issue of a separate evaluation for the post-operative surgical scar, residual of right bunionectomy, was granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's Tourette's Syndrome did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service, nor was it permanently aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's dyspepsia has been rated at a 10 percent since October 4, 2010. The condition is characterized by substernal and shoulder pain with occasional burning sensations.

The Veteran's recurrent staph infection did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shrapnel wound to the lumbar spine is service-connected, and his skin condition is likely related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5262 for malunion of the tibia and fibula with a marked ankle disability. The claim for service connection for left ankle, knee disabilities was denied as it did not involve service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the bilateral sacroiliac joint, fusion, with degenerative changes of L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's eye disorders have been rated based on the severity of visual acuity loss. Prior to October 6, 2008, his left eye had a visual acuity of 20/40; from October 6, 2008 to May 4, 2010, it was 20/100; and since then, it is 20/200. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been rated based on the degree of flexion loss. He currently has no limitation in range of motion and no other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's digestive system symptoms during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from August 4, 1990 to August 18, 1990 are being evaluated. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the current status and etiology of any remaining digestive system conditions.