Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease with limited motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's estranged spouse is entitled to an apportionment of his VA compensation benefits in the amount of $100 per month, as it does not cause undue hardship to the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings for bony exostosis of the right proximal tibia with limitation of motion and instability.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis with residual headaches was rated at 60 percent for the period from May 17, 2007 to October 1, 2007.,For the period from October 1, 2007, a rating of 30 percent was assigned.

The Board finds that the Veteran's inguinal hernia, with ilioinguinal neuralgia, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The evidence shows recurrent complaints of pain but no current evidence of an inguinal hernia.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral eye disability (keratoconus). The Board also finds that the current diagnosis of keratoconus is related to active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for recurrent staph infections due to an August 1982 VA surgery during which a pedicle flap graft was sutured to the left index finger. The case has been remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and determining if there is any additional disability related to the surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sick sinus syndrome is not attributable to his military service, did not manifest within one year of his separation from service, and was not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for sick sinus syndrome is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, thus denying her claim.

The Board denied the claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of recognized active military service, as determined by the NPRC.

The case is being remanded to ensure compliance with specialized contested claim procedures, including providing the Veteran and his attorney a copy of the SOC, a summary of the content of the Substantive Appeal, and an opportunity for a hearing. The appellant's financial information will also be updated.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as certified by the National Personnel Records Center.

The Board has determined that prior authorization for private medical expenses incurred at the Capital Regional Medical Center was provided by VA, and thus payment or reimbursement is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bone spur of the dorsum of the left foot, finding that it exhibited symptoms productive of no more than 'moderately severe' impairment due to pain, difficulty standing or walking for extended periods of time, and functional loss.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful and weakened motion with normal extension up to 105 degrees, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 15, 2009.

The Veteran is granted compensation for additional disability of facial numbness and tingling caused by VA dental surgeries on January 23, 2003, and April 8, 2003. The proximate cause was that VA furnished the surgical treatments without the Veteran's informed consent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development, including an examination.

The Veteran's claim for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 benefits is denied because the radiation treatment was performed at a non-VA facility by a non-VA employee, and thus does not meet the requirements under the statute.

The Veteran's duodenitis with diverticulosis is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his conditions do not result in more than moderate impairment.