Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for residuals of cold injury to the hands and feet. The Veteran's current symptoms are more likely related to his diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension than to exposure to cold weather during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding any diagnosed heart disability, including cardiac dysrhythmia ventricular ectopy. The examiner should determine if this condition is related to active service and provide a rationale for their conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and a skin disorder, both secondary to herbicide exposure, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, including cataracts, blurred vision, blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eyes, is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's postoperative right elbow bone spur is not shown to have been manifested by any limitation of motion that would warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA respiratory examination. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for bronchial spasm and reactive airway disease with allergic component, and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic peptic ulcer disease and dumping syndrome, have been found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided that additional development is required before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining treatment records from Northwest Ohio Cardiology and verifying any VA treatment received within 24 months prior to July 18, 2008.

The Veteran's skin condition and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service-connected. The squamous cell carcinoma is not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating claim for a heart disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between his service-connected left mastoid process disability and any other musculature disorders in that area. The earlier effective date issue for PTSD will also be addressed.

The Veteran received prior authorization from VA to receive treatment at a non-VA hospital, SCH, on August 3, 2010. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran was 'properly hospitalized' by VA at the time of his death, which would allow for payment of burial benefits. The appellant's claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's laceration of the right forehead is rated at 30 percent since July 3, 2006. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for degenerative changes of the right hand prior to February 28, 2007, and a 10 percent rating thereafter remains pending.

The Veteran's service does not meet the threshold requirements for VA pension benefits as he did not serve during a period of war.

The claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC fund is denied because the decedent's spouse did not file a claim within the required timeframe following the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which he died prior to.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal of the December 2010 Income Verification Match decision, including the denial of waiver of overpayment. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's death was determined to be due to cancer of the lungs, which is presumed service-connected based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise and granted DIC benefits.