Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left scapula with limitation of motion are currently rated at 20 percent, but as of April 14, 2010, his disability has been manifested by significant functional impairment and chronic pain. The Board finds that he is entitled to an increased rating to 30 percent.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at MRMC on July 6, 2010 are now covered by VA due to the nature of the emergency and the lack of feasible VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep condition and stomach condition are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including medications taken for those conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents related to the appellant's application for Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI). The appellant is seeking eligibility for VMLI as a surviving spouse of her deceased husband.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, as his symptoms do not align with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and he has been diagnosed with psychosis disorder, cannabis dependence, and cocaine abuse. The stressor is considered sufficient to support an in-service occurrence but the Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to substance use rather than a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have active service during a period of war, and thus does not meet the requirements for entitlement to such benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hydrocele, inguinal hernia, and undescended testis existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's thoracic spine disorder is related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer was found to have developed during his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating assigned. The evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an amputated left first toe due to his failure to report for a VA examination without providing good cause, and because this claim was reopened based on previous denial.

The Veteran's left foot disability does not result in impairment more nearly approximating moderately severe foot injury, and therefore a higher rating than 10 percent is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran sustained a significant head injury during service, and his current residuals are related to this in-service event. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral inguinal hernia, including secondary to service-connected chronic epididymitis, was denied. His claim for an increased rating of chronic epididymitis was also denied. The claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied. Service connection for restless leg syndrome was not addressed as it is part of the remand portion.

The Veteran's skin rash disability is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service and exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right and left tibia stress fractures have been rated at 10 percent each, effective February 12, 2009. The Board has granted a higher rating for the right and left tibia stress fractures.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including determining the nature and extent of any chemical exposure during service and whether the Veteran's lung cancer is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his varicose veins on his left leg.