Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and special monthly compensation based upon the need for aid and attendance were denied.,No evidence of an earlier filed unadjudicated claim was found.

The appellant's spouse did not perform active military service in the United States Armed Forces and is therefore not considered a veteran for purposes of eligibility for non-service connected death pension.

The Board denied the claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund as there is no legal authority to award such benefit.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability is service-connected as a result of repetitive trauma in service.,The Veteran's pelvic fracture was not manifested during service and is considered to be aggravated by his current condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 2007.,Prior to March 8, 2010, the Veteran was not entitled to a compensable rating for his right shoulder disability. Beginning March 8, 2010, he is now entitled to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at University Medical Center in May 2009 due to pneumonia. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify the diagnosis of any current lung pathology and its likely etiology, including review of VA and private inpatient/outpatient records.

The Board has granted service connection for a dysthymic disorder and respective bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and left thumb conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found no objective indications of a chronic disability manifested by memory loss or loss of concentration, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Northwest Texas Hospital from October 24, 2008 to October 25, 2008 was denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lung granuloma itself does not impact his respiratory function or symptoms, and thus an initial compensable disability rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for verification of service records. The appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits at this time.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder, is rated at 70 percent since November 24, 2008. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastritis is aggravated by medication used to treat his service-connected bilateral knee chondromalacia, and thus grants service connection for chronic gastritis on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's sleep disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness that was incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected disability that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from hypertensive cardiovascular disease with hemorrhage. The cause of death was attributed solely to this condition, which did not have its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including analysis of the Veteran's radiation dosimeter. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis of the feet, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board found that current pancreatitis and cholelithiasis are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during active duty. The Veteran's reported history of these conditions dates back to after separation from service.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to insufficient evidence of severe impairment.