Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, specifically mammogram results dated between 1996 and January 2002. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient documentation regarding when the North Florida/South Georgia VHS received the ambulance bill from Leon County EMS on February 16, 2013. The Veteran will also have another opportunity to submit or identify any evidence showing that he filed an earlier claim.

Service connection for calluses of the feet was granted.,A 10% rating for migraine headaches is in effect since December 9, 1991. The Veteran's lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) has been rated at 60%, effective from October 5, 1990.

The Veteran's weakness of the left upper extremity secondary to surgery and radiation therapy presents an exceptional disability picture that significantly interferes with employment, warranting extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of anal fissures before April 6, 2010 was denied. The claim for a higher initial rating than 30 percent for residuals of anal fissures from April 6, 2010 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of left and right foot injuries have been denied as the disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones (bilateral nephrolithiasis) and a liver disorder were denied. The Board found that the current disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection based on lack of in-service injury or disease, absence of continuity of symptoms since separation from service, and inability to establish a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin condition is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a skin rash was denied.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder, evaluated as 50 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has ordered clarification of the Veteran's address and choice of representative, as well as scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his peptic ulcer. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hyperpituitarism (post pituitary tumor extraction) was denied. However, his TDIU claim was granted based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of sunstroke and a disability of the brain (claimed as half brain missing and memory loss) has been resolved by the grant of service connection for memory loss due to electroshock therapy used to treat his sunstroke. As both issues have been resolved, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied. The Board also denied his claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia and earlier effective dates for various conditions, but referred the issue of service connection for sleep apnea related to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's arthropathy of the hands, elbows and hips is caused by his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's inpatient hospital records and to provide a VA physician with an opinion regarding whether herbicide exposure, diabetes, or medications contributed to his liver cancer. The case will be remanded for further review after these actions are completed.

The Veteran does not have an additional cardiovascular disability or chronic residuals of Legionnaires' disease that is the result of VA medical treatment at Brecksville VA Medical Center in July 2006. The Board finds no additional disability present.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is considered to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities have been rated at 40 percent each since February 18, 2003. The appeal for higher evaluations is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the validity of the overpayment and whether any portion was due to administrative error. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to submit evidence regarding his request for waiver of recovery.