Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected right leg and left leg disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, while her cardiovascular disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of her conditions.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship between the Veteran's service and his diastasis recti, including internal stomach complaints, nerve complaints, and muscle complaints. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lung disability, which the Board has determined requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for residuals of sprain, right acromioclavicular articulation was denied as there is no evidence showing the disability existed prior to February 27, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for a gunshot wound to Muscle Group I on the right side of his back was denied. The Board found that the severity of the injury most closely approximated the criteria for a moderate injury, with deep penetration by a single bullet necessitating debridement and causing reduced stamina and fatigue-pain, without loss of muscle substance.

The Veteran requested that her current husband be added as a dependent to her VA compensation award, but this matter has not yet been addressed. The appeal is being remanded for the assignment of an effective date for removing her former spouse from her VA compensation award.

The Board finds that the overpayment of death pension benefits was not properly created due to administrative error, and thus grants the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PSVT is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is needed before deciding the claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, back injury, and an injury to the mouth and teeth.

The Veteran's service-connected sacroiliac arthritis does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from May 29, 2012 to June 13, 2012 are granted as the criteria for payment have been met due to reasonable doubt on whether the Veteran could be safely discharged or transferred to a VA facility.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses from September 15, 2010 to September 17, 2010 are approved as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a fall resulting in a skull fracture and atrial fibrillation. The Veteran is not eligible for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's October 2012 notice of disagreement was timely, and thus the appeal remains pending. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no current disability and rejecting the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran did not have a skin disorder during his appeal period.

The Board has requested a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's testicular cancer and is remanding the case for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected post-gastrectomy syndrome disability did not more nearly approximate a rating in excess of 40 percent, as his symptoms were considered moderate with no significant weight loss or anemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of active disease or compensable residual symptoms associated with the Veteran's large cell lymphoma, B-cell type. As a result, an initial compensable rating for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's left eye disability, including loss of vision, was not caused or aggravated by VA treatment. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.