Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's mid spine disorder and considering new evidence that may have reopened his claim.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any identified disorder(s) of the upper and lower extremities, including whether they are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of ALS or a colon disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions. The left eye disability was rated as inactive conjunctivitis.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) education benefits past his delimiting date of September 1, 2010 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a mental or physical disability preventing him from completing his course of training within his eligibility period.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to earlier effective dates, SMC assignment, and initial ratings for his service-connected left eye disability and dysthymic disorder. The case is being remanded to address these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of both theories of causation: exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE), and exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered in light of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran is seeking reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred during hospitalization at Passavant Area Hospital on October 25, 2010. The case has been remanded due to the lack of treatment reports and progress notes in the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether service-connected arthritis contributed to the Veteran's death and updating information about the appellant's financial status.

The Veteran's athlete's foot has been manifested by coverage less than 5 percent of the entire body, which is not an extensive or exposed area. The disability warrants a noncompensable rating.

The case is REMANDED to determine the Veteran's eligibility for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves. The Veteran needs to provide evidence that his basic eligibility has been confirmed by the Department of Defense.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood disorder/residuals of syphilis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical treatment at the St. John's Emergency Trauma Center on April 23, 2010 was denied because the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for additional records from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Horizon Medical Center/Rehabilitation Center. The claim will be re-adjudicated following receipt of these records.

The Veteran's cause of death, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), was attributable to a service-connected disability and thus the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip replacement and left hip degenerative changes do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a chalazion and his left eye conditions are not caused by any event or injury in service. The right hip pain is not related to military service, but is secondary to radiculopathy from nonservice-connected low back disability. Right foot numbness is also not related to military service and is secondary to radiculopathy from a nonservice-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right inguinal hernia is being remanded due to pending issues regarding the original claim filed in April 1949 and potential unadjudicated claims.

The Board has determined that a respiratory disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service. The eye condition issue is pending and requires further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing at the local office.

The Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has been manifested by less than four episodes per year, warranting a disability rating of 10 percent from March 14, 2003 forward.