Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's oral bone loss is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Western Plains Medical Center from July 4, 2011 through July 6, 2011 is denied as he did not receive VA treatment within the prior 24-month period and his condition was an emergency requiring immediate care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of bruxism resulting in a disability for which VA compensation benefits are payable, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hand disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral heel spurs with right Achilles tendonitis and calluses are rated at 10 percent, while his service-connected rib disability is not assigned a rating. The Board denied the claims for higher initial evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain. The issue of an increased rating for the right ankle strain remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's SMC claim due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records from the VAMC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right foot disability for purposes of service connection and denied his claim. The issue regarding an upper thoracic spine disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a right arm disorder with high ulnar nerve palsy, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's educational assistance for Lear Jet pilot training from November 20, 2009 to December 4, 2009 is granted.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, rectal cancer, was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining treatment records from November 2001 to December 2005, service personnel records, and a VA opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death as due to radiation exposure.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Hillcrest Medical Center was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition, and the nearest available appropriate level of care was provided by the VA South Central Health Care Network in Jackson, Mississippi. The Board finds that payment or reimbursement is warranted based on these circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at St. Elizabeth Health Center on February 10, 2009, is granted as the treatment was deemed reasonable under emergency conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during inpatient treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from March 31, 2009 to April 3, 2009 was denied as she had coverage under a health-plan contract (Medicare Parts A and B).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that his right knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have arthritis in either hand, as evidenced by negative X-ray findings. As a result, service connection for arthritis of the hands was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.