Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for service-connected narcolepsy was granted, with the effective date set at October 1, 2006. The Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabled for his narcolepsy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left inguinal hernia and has determined that service connection is warranted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for a perirectal abscess with MRSA from August 4, 2006 to August 7, 2006 were authorized as emergency treatment due to the presence of MRSA and the need for continued medical care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's grade A esophagitis with distal erosions is due to his service-connected peptic ulcer disease and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for enucleation of the left eye and awarded a 10 percent initial disability rating for meralgia paresthetica of the right hip. The myocardial infarction claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's loss of right elbow motion is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5206.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including treatment related to MDS. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is noted, but no specific exposure to Agent Orange is mentioned.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because the treatment at Rapid City Regional Hospital was not provided by a VA employee or in a VA facility, and thus does not meet the criteria for compensation.

The Board found that blindness in the Veteran's left eye was not attributable to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The spindle cell lipoma of the neck issue remains pending as it has not been developed or considered by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate warrants a 60 percent disability rating from May 1, 2010 to January 29, 2012 due to urinary leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day. Since January 30, 2012, he has been rated at the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an advanced payment of $3,000.00 for educational assistance due to lack of undue hardship and failure to complete the program of education.

The appellant's deceased spouse did not have the required service to be awarded benefits from the FVEC Fund, and hence the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Flagler Hospital from August 2, 2010 to August 6, 2010 is granted as all conditions and factors outlined in the applicable regulations have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination for the Veteran's right leg varicose veins.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The appellant's claim of entitlement to a finding of permanent incapacity for self-support will be reconsidered after the requested information is obtained.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 1, 2009 for the Veteran's election to receive educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill in lieu of benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed disabilities, including neurocognitive disorder and diminished uptake in the left frontoparietal cortical area. The claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran died due to sudden cardiac arrest, and there is no evidence linking this cause of death to service or any event during service. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left lower extremity varicose veins disability rating from 60 percent to 60 percent effective December 10, 2010. The evidence showed worsening of symptoms and decreased functioning under ordinary circumstances.

The Board has determined that there is no current left thumb disability and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left thumb fracture cannot be granted.