Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by pain and weakness on the left side of the chest, finding no current underlying disability.

The Board determined that the recoupment of separation pay from the Veteran's VA compensation benefits was proper and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis and posterior heel spurs resulted in stiffness, localized tenderness, and pain that precluded running and limited standing and walking endurance. The VA denied the initial compensable ratings for both feet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected herniorrhaphy scar was denied. The current rating is 10%.

The Veteran's morphea, which affects more than 5% of his entire body and exposed areas, has been granted a 10% evaluation since March 16, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety through a March 2013 statement, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's pneumothorax and adenocarcinoma of the cecum were not related to service or asbestos exposure, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and arthritis, is aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current respiratory disability is not related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination to evaluate her service-connected closed head injury residuals.

The Veteran's service connection for status post intracerebral hemorrhage with right hemiparesis was restored, effective September 10, 2003.

The Veteran's overpayment of $3,000.00 was created due to her receipt of an advance payment for education benefits she was not entitled to receive. The Board found that recovery would be against equity and good conscience as the Veteran did not change her position to her detriment.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need to verify her service dates and determine if she had any qualifying periods of active duty, active duty training, or inactive duty training during her Reserve obligation term.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional leg disability, including a left groin abscess, as a result of treatment at the VA medical facility on May 1, 2006. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right index and ring finger disabilities are not shown to have ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected partial amputation of the middle finger of the left hand with degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses for emergency treatment received at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center on August 2, 2012 is granted as all criteria for payment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a DRO hearing and the need for an updated Financial Status Report. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.