Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 21, 2010 and from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to confusion in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is related to service. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining additional evidence and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and an acquired psychiatric disorder, both potentially related to his military service. The Board has ordered additional development including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not develop an inguinal hernia during his active duty service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection. The initial compensable rating claim for internal hemorrhoids is also denied as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's left arm disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his low back disability has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to April 8, 2013, and as of June 1, 2013. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral trench foot disabilities, including associated peripheral neuropathy, were granted maximum ratings of 30 percent each. However, the presence of peripheral neuropathy necessitates separate evaluations under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8520 for each affected lower extremity.

The claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the City of Camas for emergency transportation on January 22, 2013 is denied as it was not filed within the required 90-day period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder and residuals of a back injury are etiologically related to his active duty service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for VA compensation benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, for an appendectomy performed at a VA Medical Center in April 1993 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of sunstroke and a skin disease (claimed as jungle rot) were denied. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions, and the evidence did not support presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease is being remanded for a clarification of whether it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right leg condition and leukemia prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claim for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining deck logs from U.S.S. YARNELL, attempting to obtain medical records from PERS, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer, presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service in Germany, is considered for accrued benefits. The claim was pending at the time of death and granted.

The Veteran's claim for enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system is being remanded due to a need for financial status information that will determine his eligibility based on income level.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder and is granting it based on new evidence provided by the Veteran's private physician attributing the condition to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a pulmonary function test to assess his service-connected left diaphragm disability.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right eye disorder. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence that VA's failure to diagnose or treat the Veteran's preexisting conditions caused his additional disability, and thus denied the claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.