Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's auditory processing disorder was granted service connection, and his right knee disabilities were granted increased ratings.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for a right eye disability and an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the face. As such, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus are service connected.,Secondary service connection is granted for IBS, kidney stones, respiratory disorder (due to herbicide exposure), diverticulitis, and residuals of gall bladder removal.

The Veteran's residuals of compression fracture at L2 have been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees, and by painful motion and flare-ups. The Board found that these symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left hand injury due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent evaluation for anal fissures as of November 19, 2007. Prior to this date, he was not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Munroe Regional Medical Center from June 26, 2012 through June 27, 2012 was denied as she had other third-party insurance coverage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's poliomyelitis and post-polio syndrome are service-connected, with the benefit of doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's employment with C.P.S. as a long-term substitute teacher, which began in Fall of 2001 and continued through June 2005, demonstrated substantial gainful employment, thus discontinuing his TDIU benefits effective February 1, 2006.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for service connection of chronic pain syndrome due to a grant of another issue on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of the left hand and right hammer toe, as well as a compensable disability rating for residuals of chronic prostatitis, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence supporting these claims.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran prior to his death and her remarriage after age 57.

The Veteran's service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus with Raynaud's disease is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's right upper extremity disability, including as a residual of service-connected lung cancer, was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service. Service connection for the thoracotomy scar of the right chest, post-operative residuals of a lobectomy, was granted but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a fungal skin disorder of the left foot and toenails, finding that it first manifested in service. The Veteran's claim for higher initial rating for scars due to basal cell carcinoma remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for cellulitis of the left elbow and left hip, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's STRs do not show any in-service events, injuries, or diseases related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's GU disability is primarily manifested by voiding dysfunction resulting in urine leakage necessitating an appliance and absorbent materials changed approximately four times daily. The renal dysfunction with related symptoms was attributed to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's separate 20 percent disability evaluations for his right and left knee chondromalacia with quadriceps atrophy, as the procedural requirements were not met to reduce these ratings.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cancerous tumor in the left eye, which he claims is due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether his condition is related to this exposure.