Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's increased disability rating for left median nerve injury, status post laceration, is granted effective August 15, 2008. The Veteran's felon, left middle finger, associated with osteomyelitis, remains at a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for microscopic colitis, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or malaria. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right heel and Achilles tendon disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of NSC pension, finding that there was no CUE in the March 30, 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected maxilla bone loss is manifested by bone loss of less than 25 percent as a result of traumatic injury, which does not impose limitation of masticatory function or speech impairment, or require replacement of the missing bone tissue with a prosthesis. Therefore, an initial compensable evaluation for maxilla bone loss has not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic schizoaffective disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to February 16, 2007.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ochsner Medical Center on April 20, 2008 are eligible for payment or reimbursement as the care was rendered in a 'medical emergency' of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of peripheral neuritis of the left lower extremity. The Veteran contends that his symptoms are more severe than reflected by the current disability evaluation and warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claim, including obtaining medical records from his second period of active duty and Reserve service, as well as VA outpatient treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for CAD, claimed as cholesterol, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's service connection claim for gout is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a request for a hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability was not caused or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all relevant VA treatment records and conducting a neurological examination of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's skin disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (70%) for many years, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's cause of death is found to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, which was presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for cancer of the left parotid gland for accrued benefits purposes remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including her osteotomy/bunionectomy, is related to her military service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia was rated at 70 percent disabling from April 10, 1998 to November 6, 2002. Effective November 7, 2002, the disability rating increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by carcinoma of the lung, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on this presumption.

The Board found that termination of the Veteran's educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606 was not proper due to her discharge from service for a disability incurred after she became eligible for education assistance.

The Veteran's current skin condition, dystrophic fingernail growth of the hands and dryness of the hands, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not caused by or related to a rash on the Veteran's legs during service.