Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's residuals of pilonidal cyst removal, to include scar, are currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an extension of her delimiting date for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code due to lack of evidence showing she was prevented from initiating or completing her chosen program of education during her eligibility period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his service participation in the Loan Repayment Program (LRP). The RO will obtain certification from the appropriate service department on whether the Veteran participated in LRP and, if so, the length of his period of service counted for purposes of LRP. Additionally, all service personnel records, including an enlistment contract, should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Wesley Medical Center on December 2, 2011 is granted as the emergency treatment was provided in a hospital emergency department and it was reasonable for the Veteran to seek immediate medical attention due to his doctor's instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective August 10, 2012. The claim for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for post-operative congenital left ureteropelvic junction obstruction with recurrent left pyelonephritis. The Veteran's STRs did not show aggravation by service, nor did they indicate a superimposed disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at non-VA facilities is denied as he did not meet the requirement of having received VA medical services within 24 months preceding his private emergency treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus deformity with hallux valgus and bunion formation was manifested by pain, hammer toes of toes two through five, mild calluses, moderate pes cavus, metatarsalgia, and shortened plantar fascia prior to February 12, 2013. On and after February 12, 2013, the Veteran's bilateral pes cavus deformity with hallux valgus and bunion formation was manifested by marked contraction of the plantar fascia, dropped forefoot, hammer toes of toes two through five, and very painful callosities.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Indian River Medical Center from February 10, 2011, through February 15, 2011 were denied because VA did not receive the bill and private medical records relating to such care within 90 days of the treatment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's teeth numbered 8-11 and 22-25 were extracted due to trauma during service, but the lost masticatory surface is restorable by suitable prosthesis. The Veteran's missing teeth numbered 1-7, 12-21, and 26-32 are considered a noncompensable condition resulting from periodontal disease in existence at the time of discharge before October 1, 1981.,Service connection for loss of teeth numbered 8-11 and 22-25 is granted for dental treatment purposes under Class II(a). Service connection for loss of teeth numbered 1-7, 12-21, and 26-32 is denied for dental treatment purposes under Class II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right heel spur is attributable to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive cardiovascular disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension, as well as the need for additional relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess all manifestations of the Veteran's left hip and left knee disability associated with the malunion of the femur. The claim will be reviewed again after the additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and readjudicating the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and TDIU was granted, with the evaluation for his lung disorder being increased to 30 percent effective November 26, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's residuals of cold injuries to the lower extremities were incurred in active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment because it was not received within 180 days after the December 9, 2006 notification of the overpayment.