Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Kearney County Medical Clinic on April 6, 2010. The appeal is remanded to determine if prior authorization was obtained under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon polyps, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability and the condition is not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has residuals of his head injury in service and whether these symptoms are related to his neck disability. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's right foot disability, characterized by a nonunion fracture of the second metatarsal joint and post-traumatic arthritis, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating has been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's gout was previously rated at 40 percent since the date of his increased rating claim. Since December 14, 2006, the VA determined that his gout is now totally incapacitating and granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected vascular ectasia with diverticulosis, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's urinary frequency is more likely related to his use of a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) rather than any neurological manifestation of his service-connected thoracic spine disability. Therefore, he was denied a separate compensable rating for urinary dysfunction.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any right lower extremity disability during his active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of current disability and therefore, service connection for a right lower extremity disability cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected history of carcinoma of the supraglottis area has been manifested by subjective complaints of difficulty swallowing and speech impairment, but objective evidence does not demonstrate active disease or a constant inability to speak above a whisper. The initial rating for this condition is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for leukemia, claiming it is due to exposure to ionizing radiation and hazardous chemicals while stationed at RAF St. Mawgan in the United Kingdom. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and verifying exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a neurologic disorder in the Veteran's left arm, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient notification of a hearing, and he must be provided an opportunity for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for compensation purposes for residuals of dental trauma and for dental treatment purposes including as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to lack of credible evidence of a qualifying disability during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left rib injury, characterized as intercostal neuralgia, is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm and hand disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new medical evidence. The issue remains whether service connection can be established for left ear pain or a perforated eardrum.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent. The decision also addressed the issue of TDIU, which was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not service-connected due to exposure to herbicides or any other condition related to his military service.