Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic idiopathic urticaria and interstitial cystitis are service-connected, with a current disability rating of 10% for urinary frequency.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right foot hammer toes status post metatarsal head surgery. The issue of service connection for a right hip disorder with aggravated gait, claimed as secondary to right foot hammer toes status post metatarsal head surgery, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as it no longer has jurisdiction over the case.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for a new decision addressing whether the appellant is a valid accrued benefits claimant and for any further appropriate action. The appeal is REMANDED.

The case is being remanded for a videoconference Board hearing. The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. He wishes to have a videoconference hearing instead.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries, including Raynaud's phenomenon. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to extreme cold and wet weather during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses for dental treatment received on November 12, 2012 is granted. The amount approved is $120.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment of or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses received on February 22, 2012, at Albany General Hospital and from Albany Emergency Physicians Services, P.C., finding that the care was non-emergent in nature.

The Veteran's spouse, the Appellant, is entitled to reimbursement of $130.00 for costs related to LAC tests administered on June 16, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Lahey Clinic on March 10, 2013 was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on February 8, 2012 was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment due to delay in seeking care.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding service verification and the appellant's eligibility for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Fund.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on service connection for cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability was a principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.,The Board also denied the appellant's claim for death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable amount.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center from April 27, 2013 to April 28, 2013 due to the condition having stabilized by that date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency room treatment at Florida Hospital on August 1, 2013 are denied as the condition was not an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized by ankylosis with a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and fingers, is rated at 20 percent under DC 5228.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye vision loss is not due to the August 2003 VA surgical procedures, including a keratoplasty and trabeculectomy. The surgery did result in some improvement of his vision but ultimately worsened over time.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hallux valgus and service connection for a low back disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is pending as the issue has not yet been adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Board found that the Veteran's post-operative gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) did not have its onset during service and is not related to stomach pains in service. The GIST was first shown after service beyond the one year presumptive period for malignant tumors as a chronic disease, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.