Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has granted an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected disorder to 50 percent, but denied entitlement to a TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for cardiac arrhythmia and assigned an initial rating of 10% for thoracic spine strain. The Veteran's current disability is shown to be related to his active military service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of current phlebothrombosis and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private physician's records. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death and burial benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as there is no evidence that she had submitted a prior claim before May 30, 2006.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right hand disability diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and granted it. The dermatological disorder, prurigo nodularis, is also found to be related to service-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claim of service connection for pericardial effusion, and for additional development to determine if he meets the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his left elbow sprain is granted, but the disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury of the hands and feet, finding new and material evidence. The claim is granted as the Veteran's current vascular abnormalities are due to cold injury incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic orchialgia, status post varicocelectomy is remanded due to the need for updated medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's left varicocele has been largely asymptomatic, with only occasional pain in the left testicle. The VA examiner concluded that any urinary symptoms are more likely due to a non-service-connected prostate condition rather than his service-connected varicocele.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a loss of use of the right side resulting from VA treatment is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records from any identified providers.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions, thus constituting a bar to his receipt of VA monetary benefits.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran has shin splints related to military service, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left hamstring muscle injury and for obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 23, 2004 for dependent school child allowance for the Veteran's daughter. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony that he submitted a VA Form 21-674 in August 2004.

The Veteran's right and left elbow disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right elbow receiving a 10 percent rating since September 17, 2008, and the left elbow receiving a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred during treatment and hospitalization at White River Medical Center from September 8, 2009 to September 11, 2009 is denied as he had not received VA treatment within the past 24 months prior to this period.