Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right elbow was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating effective February 9, 2001. The TDIU claim was granted effective September 10, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected menorrhagia was improperly reduced from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating. The Board has restored the original 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot dermatophytosis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of April 28, 1997 for the grant of service connection for failed back syndrome as secondary to right knee disability.

The Veteran's left leg numbness and weakness are due to an event not reasonably foreseeable during the subtotal colectomy performed by VA in December 2007, resulting in a disability of the left femoral and obturator nerves. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that leukopenia, a finding from blood panel counts, is not a disability for which service connection may be granted. As such, the claim of service connection for leukopenia is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, claimed as bunions, had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left hand muscle cramps, which he claims are related to dehydration during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated left hemidiaphragm is granted with an effective date of September 2, 1982. The Board found that the disability had been present since at least 1970 and was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia and elevated glucose were denied as these conditions are not recognized as disabilities for VA benefits purposes.

The appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development. The appellant will be scheduled for a hearing at her local RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil status post neck dissection and granted it, finding that new medical evidence supports a link to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claims for a liver disability and heart murmur were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.,There are no records showing any complaints, diagnoses, or treatment related to these conditions during service or postservice.

The appellant was not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death benefits due to their divorce at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the Veteran's living situation and income contributions, recalculate the overpayment period, conduct an audit of his pension account, request updated financial information from him, and then readjudicate the waiver claim.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private MRIs and x-rays performed on January 6, 2010 and August 25, 2010 is denied as the tests were not preapproved by VA and were procured through private sources in preference to available Government facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge from service was general/under honorable conditions, which precludes him from eligibility for educational assistance under Chapter 33 of Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information in the Veteran's disability claims file, which is needed to determine if the appellant was eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.