Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder was rated at 10 percent from April 15, 1981 through February 2, 1988. The Board denied a higher rating for this period. For the TDIU claim, the Board found that prior to March 31, 1997, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorders, including tinea cruris and apocrine skin condition resembling hydradenitis suppurative, are attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for residuals of compression fracture L1 with deformity is denied as the evidence does not support an increase to this level.

The Veteran's cause of death, listed as cardiovascular accident due to congestive heart failure and coronary atherosclerosis, is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's malaria caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center from January 18, 2006 to January 31, 2006 are eligible for payment due to emergency treatment provided in a hospital setting.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected medial meniscus tear of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral heel spurs.

The Veteran seeks service connection for prostatitis, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's DIC claim because her husband had an other than honorable discharge from service and was barred from VA benefits, except for medical care. As a result, she is not eligible for VA benefits as a surviving spouse.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records from his initial period of active duty and California Army National Guard (ANG) service, as well as any relevant VA and private medical records. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's thoracic spine disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his entry into active duty or was caused by a period of ACDUTRA in the ANG.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to VA death pension benefits due to her remarriage after the Veteran's death, and the termination of her remarriage by the death of her second husband does not allow for reinstatement of eligibility.

The appeal for apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits is being remanded to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits and service connection for the cause of his death. This includes obtaining private medical records, obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his cause of death, and providing proper VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a one-time payment from the FVEC fund due to lack of qualified service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran is due a $3.00 retroactive payment of disability compensation reduced due to concurrent receipt of military retired pay, but he contends he should have received $6,203. The case must be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including as due to radiation exposure, is being remanded for further action. The AMC/RO will attempt to obtain additional records of the Veteran's service treatment and personnel records, as well as any available records from the U.S. Army Dosimetry Center regarding his radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to a change in the hearing officer.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's insurance coverage and whether he had a medical emergency warranting reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Downtown. If it is determined that Medicare did not cover all of the expenses, the case will be remanded for an opinion regarding the availability of VA or other Federal facilities.