Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The TDIU claim will also be considered as part of the current appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to a one-time payment from the FVEC fund due to lack of service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has affirmed the denial of a waiver for an overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $7,811.30 due to the Veteran's failure to timely request a waiver.

The Board has decided to remand the claim due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and supplemental medical opinion.

The Board has granted a waiver of the overpayment of pension benefits in the amount of $1,893 due to the VA's fault in continuing to pay the Veteran during his incarceration.

The Veteran died from a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease), but the appellant's claim for burial benefits is denied as he was not receiving VA compensation or pension at the time of his death and did not die while in a VA facility.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Summitt Medical Center from October 10, 2009, through October 12, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ dysfunction is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's encephalalgia has been rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2004. The headaches are controlled by medication and occasional prostrating attacks have occurred but not frequently enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal or gastrointestinal disorder, including chronic constipation with gastric and abdominal bloating and pain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disability, classified as Xerosis of the lower extremities and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, originated during active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD or any other gastrointestinal disability, and his duodenal ulcer is not shown to be causally related to service. The appeal for prostate disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus L4-5, right is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board found that a chronic disability manifested by bilateral leg pain was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service, and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for eye disorders, including diplopia with pseudophakia, cataract, optic dystrophy, and non-proliferative retinopathy (claimed as vision problems secondary to head injury), right fourth nerve palsy, and diplopia is now before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disorders related to service, including any exposure to chemical and/or biological agents. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the earliest date of entitlement for service connection is June 1, 2009, which corresponds to the date of the Veteran's hemorrhoid surgery. The effective date for the award of service connection for decreased sphincter tone is therefore set at this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current stomach disability related to his military service, and therefore denies his claim for service connection.