Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 2005 for the grant of DIC benefits based on A.L.C.'s status as the Veteran's helpless child. The appellant also seeks to establish that A.L.C. should have been recognized as the Veteran's helpless child during his lifetime and is seeking additional benefits in connection with such recognition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital on October 14, 2007 were denied as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need to determine if the Veteran and his estranged spouse are still married.

The Veteran's esophageal disorder is service-connected, and his duodenal ulcer with recurrent pyrosis has been rated appropriately. The left shoulder osteoarthritis with biceps tendonitis does not warrant a higher schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to outstanding VA medical records not currently associated with the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frozen feet in June 1985, concluding that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his service-connected mood disorder is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have arthritis of systemic or infectious origin, to include rheumatoid, pneumococcic and streptococcic arthritis, hydrarthritis, synovitis, tenosynovitis, or myositis and myositis ossificans. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a neurilemmoma of the left foot should be July 17, 1998, based on evidence showing aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the lack of certain medical records, including those from a VA facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The case will be returned for further review after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability resulting from the Veteran's reported eye injuries in service, and thus his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's scoliosis and pectus excavatum were congenital defects that pre-existed service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for syringoma was denied as there is no current disability due to the in-service treatment. The claims for increased ratings of left knee and lumbar spine disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections, which are responsible for her symptom of hematuria. The Board also found that she is entitled to an increased disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from February 27, 2008.

The Veteran's right and left foot cold injury residuals with onychomycosis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or any other disability manifested by snoring, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability was reduced from effective October 1, 2005 due to actual employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for intercostal rib pain and costochondritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a gallbladder removal began during his period of service and grants service connection for this condition.