Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right foot condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his active service.

The Veteran is seeking to establish secondary service connection for multiple joint arthritis and myalgia, which he claims are related to his service-connected mitral valve insufficiency. The claim will be remanded for proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA disability compensation was denied as recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to his fault in failing to report changes in circumstances, including incarceration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability and deviated nasal septum was denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right elbow disability, and his assertion regarding the etiology of his deviated nasal septum did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not due to VA medical treatment, and the cause of death is arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for psychosis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of her claims file.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran due to the dissolution of their marriage prior to his death, which disqualifies her from receiving DIC benefits.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for additional development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ dysfunction is due to disease or injury incurred in service, and his eustachian tube dysfunction of the ears does not meet the criteria for service connection. The right shoulder disability was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent prior to April 13, 2010, and a 20 percent rating effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The issue remains whether he should be compensated under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his right forearm disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a perforated right ear drum and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital were denied because he was not service-connected for any condition, and the emergency treatment provided did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left foot fracture has been granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disorder from December 25, 2007 is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed narcolepsy/cataplexy manifested during or is a result of his active duty military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ring finger injury resulted in ankylosis of the PIP joint, preventing full flexion. The VA determined that a 10 percent disability evaluation was warranted and effective as February 4, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and conflicting evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty for training. The claim will be further developed to determine if a GI disorder was incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to incomplete records. The case will be returned to the VAMC for further action.

The Veteran's jaw disability, characterized by a non-union fracture and osteomyelitis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of severe nonunion or active infection warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for Legg-Perthes disease of the left hip. The pre-existing condition was found to have worsened due to natural progression, rather than being aggravated by service.