Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and consent forms. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip internal derangement is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claim for non-service-connected burial benefits can be adjudicated on the merits. The Appellant's claim will be remanded to obtain information about where the Veteran died and any relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's death and hospitalization, and for sending a VCAA notice.

The appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of his right leg disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and to obtain additional medical evidence regarding his vision/eye disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by slight limitation of flexion and full extension with some pain in motion, was found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on painful limitation of motion. A separate compensable rating for instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration under both current and pre-September 2003 rating criteria.

The Veteran's acid peptic disease and hiatal hernia have been rated at the lowest available rating due to lack of significant impairment in health or symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder injury, including a partial tear of the rotator cuff, is likely due to an incident where he was forcibly restrained by VA employees on February 26, 2003. The disability is not considered to be related to willful misconduct and meets the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the wrists and hands is related to her military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board denied service connection for poor blood circulation of the left and right upper extremities as these conditions were not found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund as he did not meet the requisite legal requirements for obtaining such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disability and abdominal bleeding were denied in an October 1961 rating decision. New evidence received less than one year after the denial, including a letter from a private provider, has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA monetary benefits as her service with the Merchant Marines did not render her eligible due to it occurring after August 15, 1945.

The Board found that the Veteran's impotence is not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's musculoskeletal disorders, including gout and arthritis, were not caused or aggravated by medications taken for his service-connected PTSD and atopic dermatitis. The evidence did not show an association between these conditions and exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary stress and urge incontinence status post three surgical procedures is currently rated at 60 percent since September 8, 2009.

The Veteran's total left testicular atrophy resulting from left testicular torsion incurred in service is granted. The respiratory disability claim remains pending and requires additional development as requested.