Other conditions decisions — 2012

The VA determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the trunk area, including areas such as mid-back, left lower back, chest and mid-chest, right upper arm, abdomen, neck and right superior helical rim (ear) and periauricular scalp with actinic keratoses scars, warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran claims his current skin disorder is related to service, specifically a rash on his feet in Japan. The VA will conduct an examination and determine the nature of any current skin disorders and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC on January 8, 2008 is denied as there was no prior authorization and the treatment did not occur in a medical emergency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury, bilateral lower extremities and determined that new and material evidence was received. The VA examiner confirmed a history of cold urticaria during service and noted its persistence post-service.

The Board has determined that the appellant (C.P.) is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, and thus her claim is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility for a nonservice-connected condition were denied as prior authorization was not received from VA, and the Veteran had other health coverage (Medicare).

The Veteran's service as a Philippine Scout did not qualify him for compensation from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to his enlistment and reenlistment dates.

The Veteran's son was diagnosed with an imperforate anus with a fistula into the bladder, but these conditions are not covered birth defects under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 and there is no evidence that the appellant's mother was a Vietnam veteran exposed to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's breast cancer is of service origin and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a dental disorder as a result of combat wounds or other trauma during his active military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's private medical expenses incurred on September 12, 2010, and September 13, 2010 were not authorized by VA. The treatment was not provided in connection with a service-connected disability or a nonservice-connected condition associated with and aggravating a service-connected disability. At the time of the treatment, the Veteran was not in receipt of a permanent and total disability rating, participating in vocational rehabilitation, or an active participant in VA health care.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left tibia disability, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy and osteomyelitis, did not have onset during service or as a result of military service. The pre-existing residuals of a fracture were not permanently increased in severity due to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema, for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a left hand disorder and bilateral hip disorder, both claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case was remanded multiple times but the claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records related to a blood clot before service and asking the Veteran to provide information about his treatment of a blood clot in 1967 or 1968.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for macular pucker and aphakia, status-post repair retinal detachment right eye, with inferotemporal retinal dialysis of the left eye, effective November 27, 2010. The Veteran's right eye is manifested by light perception only, while his left eye has visual acuity of 20/40.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features has been rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2010.

The Board determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer was not caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial increased rating for his service-connected respiratory disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of infectious mononucleosis and chronic liver disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.