Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has ordered an additional VA examination to determine the extent of neurological impairment associated with the Veteran's service-connected right clavicle fracture, including thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and left foot/ankle disorders are not related to his service or any disease or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's claim for payment of private medical expenses incurred on November 10, 2007 was denied as he had insurance coverage and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from January 13, 2011 to January 19, 2011 are denied as he had coverage under a health-plan contract (his wife's insurance) for the treatment.

The Board finds that recovery of the overpayment would not be against equity and good conscience, as the Veteran was at fault in creating the debt by failing to resolve known felony charges. The decision is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peritonsillar abscess and fibrolipoma of the scalp, both claimed as resulting from Agent Orange exposure. The case has been remanded to obtain in-service treatment records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for residuals of a left middle finger laceration manifested by limitation of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint. Service connection for other residuals of the laceration are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, residuals of a right index finger injury, and residuals of a right eye injury. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA ophthalmologic examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected left eye disorder, including whether any constricted visual fields are related to his service-connected condition. The case will be readjudicated based on both pre- and post-December 10, 2008 rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing at the RO, and a new hearing date must be set.

The appellant's remarriage and divorce are not grounds for reinstatement of the survivor's pension as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right thumb and hand disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran is seeking to have the March 2004 rating decision that denied service connection for a back injury be revised due to clear and unmistakable error. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions. The primary issue is whether the Veteran's death was caused by esophageal-duodenal cancer, presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage of the feet and an increased rating for dermatophytosis, paronychia, and onychomycosis. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran suffers from these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing, and will schedule one at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and requesting an addendum from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's chest pain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for both issues on appeal, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his eye condition and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 since March 17, 2010 is denied. The VA has scheduled the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity and extent of her disability.

The Board is remanding the claims for squamous cell carcinoma and non-cancerous skin diseases due to exposure to ionizing radiation, including Gulf War service.