Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for payment of private medical expenses at Orange Park Medical Center on October 30, 2010 is granted as the criteria are met.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, base of tongue and pharynx is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was caused or aggravated by military service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether it is related to his service, including any in-service head trauma or exposure to malaria/herbicides. The appellant must be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Board has granted the Appellant's request to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for cause of death, and has remanded the case for further development including obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a Post-9/11 GI Bill education housing allowance from October 22, 2011 to December 15, 2011 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for an associated housing allowance due to his reduced rate of pursuit.

The Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits is being remanded due to the need for clarification on his active duty service days and consideration of the impact of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, carcinoid, was not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The Board also determined there was no evidence linking the gastrointestinal symptoms he experienced during service to his later diagnosed pancreatic cancer.

The Veteran's disability picture from October 23, 2008, consists of recurrent painful lipomas with more than five resultant scars that are superficial and not deep. The pain in these scars warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh is manifested by no worse than a moderate neuralgia, and his claim for a compensable evaluation has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran received emergency treatment for a lacunar stroke at Paradise Valley Hospital due to emergent symptoms. The claim is granted as all criteria for payment of unauthorized medical expenses are met.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a foreign body in the left chest was denied. The Board also found that severance of service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left side of the face with retained metallic fragment, effective January 1, 2010, was proper.

The Veteran's left elbow strain and left cubital syndrome have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions, with the left elbow strain receiving a 10% rating and the left cubital syndrome receiving a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination and consideration of new medical records. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have arthritis as a result of his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to a lack of valid marriage at the time of his death.

The Board found that the current left eye disability is not causally or etiologically related to a period of inactive duty for service, specifically an August 25, 1999 physical altercation with another service member.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and the need for a properly completed VA Form 21-8940. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's brain tumor.