Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, he is not legally entitled to a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's emergency room visit at Flagler Hospital on November 1, 2010 was deemed an emergency due to his flu symptoms. The closest VA facility was not feasibly available and attempting to use it beforehand or obtaining prior authorization would not have been reasonable, sound, wise, or practicable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for swollen and aching feet and residuals of a cold weather injury have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected partial bicep rupture is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and for obtaining any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his Reiter's syndrome, which may have increased in severity despite being inactive.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including degenerative joint disease and superimposed injuries, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility is denied as the Veteran has coverage under a health-plan contract, which bars VA from paying or reimbursing unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including nonulcer dyspepsia, gastrointestinal reflux, and dysphagia, are being remanded for further clarification of whether they are secondary to his service-connected dental disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right eye disorder and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bladder dysfunction have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's liver hemangioma is a congenital defect and not related to service, including carbon tetrachloride exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's financial situation has changed significantly, and the appellant's claim for apportionment should be revisited in light of his increased VA compensation benefits. Further information is needed regarding child support payments from March 2005 to present.

The Veteran's gunshot wound residuals of the right and left thighs have been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's request for a video hearing, and the need to schedule such a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's death was due to a liver neoplasm, and he was not buried in a national cemetery or state-owned cemetery. The claim for a plot allowance is granted as the criteria are met. However, there is no available transportation benefit since the Veteran was not hospitalized by VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied as there is no evidence of loss of the substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible due to trauma in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot calluses is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report and the need for an updated examination without resorting to mere speculation.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue and an unspecified malignant neoplasm of the lymph nodes of the head, face, and neck are being remanded for further development including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical opinion regarding their relationship to his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and venous stasis in September 2008. The Veteran submitted new evidence since then, but it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and determining whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active military service or secondary to service-connected disability.