Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the hands and feet have been granted. However, his claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability secondary to corneal scars in the left eye remains pending.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of spontaneous left pneumothorax have not resulted in the required pulmonary function test results to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders to his military service, and denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as an adjustment disorder and depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the appellant's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Banner Gateway Medical Center on March 13, 2012 and March 14, 2012 were eligible for payment by VA due to the nature of his emergency condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board determined that the change of the Veteran's means test eligibility category from exempt to required for pharmacy care was proper, but denied the appeal as there is no doubt to be resolved.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as no additional evidence was submitted by the appellant since the prior final disallowance.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary tract infection has been rated at a noncompensable rating prior to November 25, 2013. Effective from September 25, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for this condition.,Throughout the appeal period, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to his service-connected left inguinal herniorrhaphy, has been remanded by the Board due to a request for a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of service records from the NPRC. The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional information is obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the back are rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7804. The Board finds that his scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on their size, stability, or symptoms.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current right foot disability and his service, including the 1989 injury. The condition is considered unrelated to any in-service event or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 1, 2006 for service connection and a 50% rating for removal of uterus with bilateral ovaries is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis and his military service, including any motor vehicle accident during service. The VA examiner concluded that the arthritis is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 with spondylosis of L5 is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not show that his disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The veteran died in February 2007 from nonservice-connected causes and did not meet the legal criteria for a burial allowance, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for residuals of a left (minor) supraclavicular injury was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 16, 2012 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition was initially denied due to lack of evidence during his last verified period of active duty. The Board has now ordered further development, including verification of the Veteran's presence on active duty from October 2007 to November 2007 and a VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of a laceration of the left index finger are manifested by limitation of range of motion, but no evidence of amputation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of a rating greater than 10 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's pulmonary residuals of a shell fragment wound to the chest with a history of pleuritis are currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.