Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis due to VA carelessness in failing to obtain proper consent prior to treatment, which is a direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post umbilical hernia repair and injury to the inguinal area, finding that it is related to his active military service. The other issues remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current groin condition is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU, finding that his hiatal hernia with diverticulitis does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral fifth toe hammertoe deformities with recurrent painful corns and calluses are rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma, was not incurred in service and is not presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion adequate as it considered all procurable and assembled data.

The Board denied reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at St. Luke's Clinic-Idaho Cardiology Associates on January 21, 2013, as the treatment was not included in prior authorized visits and VA provided continuous follow-up care for the Veteran's condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's heart valve condition is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of the SMP based on housebound status.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of hiatal hernia, which was diagnosed during active service and is considered directly incurred. Therefore, service connection for hiatal hernia is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a dental disability as secondary to his service-connected GERD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's prostatitis with posterior urethritis and a history of hematuria is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available for that disability. The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU, and his service-connected disability renders him unemployable.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional information from the appellant and Veteran, prior to adjudication of the claim.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, post robotic radical prostatectomy residuals from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's condition following his treatment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and secure his Social Security Administration disability benefits decision. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's right great toe disability, characterized by pain and minimal antalgic gait with tenderness, swelling, and X-ray evidence of arthritis, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.