Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for cataracts (pseudophakia bilaterally) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the appellant received the overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits and thus is responsible for repayment. The case is being remanded to the RO for this purpose.

The Board denied the claim for a Government-furnished headstone or grave marker due to the unknown location of the appellant's ancestor's grave, which is not considered unavailable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee from March 1 to March 12, 2010 is eligible for payment by VA due to the nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease with avascular necrosis of the left hip, as secondary to his service-connected fracture left tibial tuberosity, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a mental condition and left ear condition is granted due to the presence of monomeric tympanic membrane, residual of tympanic membrane perforation.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the University of Michigan Hospital and Health Centers on May 15, 2010 is being remanded due to missing documents.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and joint pain. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a benefits payment rate higher than 40 percent of maximum for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was granted, and he is now eligible for 50 percent of the maximum amount.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities were denied, with the exception of service connection for PTSD from April 7, 1999 to March 27, 2001 and in excess of 70 percent from March 28, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a search of missing service treatment records and associated files. The appeal is currently pending due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated treatment records.

The Board found that the appellant's OTH discharge from active service for the period from September 1977 to January 1979 constituted a bar to basic eligibility for VA benefits, including health care under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 due to his prolonged unauthorized absence without compelling circumstances.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current lung disability and has not had any such disability from his May 2007 claim for service connection to the present, and therefore denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for lung damage resulting from smoke inhalation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a multijoint disability, including gout and myalgia. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip fixation and left hip strain have been rated at 10 percent each since May 2, 2007. The Board finds that the current evaluations are not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other compensable limitations in range of motion.,The Veteran has also raised a claim for scars, but none were found to be painful, unstable, or covering more than 39 square centimeters.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's current left shoulder disabilities, including DJD of the glenohumeral joint and status post repair of a complete tear of the rotator cuff, are related to his active service.

The Board has ordered the VA to attempt to verify the appellant's service from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) using all provided information, including correct birth date and names of parents. The case will be remanded for further action.