Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gouty arthritis and neurological/muscular disorder of the lower extremities are service-connected, with the latter being due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reliance on service treatment records that do not reflect a current disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service repetitive use injury are also considered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as there are no service-connected disabilities to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed eye disorders are not related to his active service, including injuries sustained in a parachute accident and an IED incident. The Veteran's essential hypertension is manifested by home diastolic blood pressure readings predominantly at or above 110 mmHg but not reaching 120 mmHg, and the highest assigned rating of 10 percent for his condition remains appropriate.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder, specifically endometriosis. The current examination report is incomplete and does not provide sufficient detail on whether the condition was pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's service-connected fracture of the spinous process, L2-L3, aggravated his nonservice-connected lumbar spine problems.

The Veteran requested to cancel his appeal for a TDIU, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his service-connected laceration, left hand, first and third digits was granted in April 2010. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed due to the possibility of additional manifestations of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for rescheduling a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's son, T.L., meets the criteria for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his income and eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for lipoma of the right upper extremity was denied as his condition has not affected more than 1% of total body surface area and no exposed skin, requiring no treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tonsil cancer and current residuals are related to service, specifically his in-service asbestos exposure. The appeal is currently on hold while additional evidence is considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinions regarding his respiratory symptoms.

The Board has determined that the claim for non-service-connected VA burial benefits should be remanded due to a failure to consider payment of the remaining balance under applicable legal authority, including 38 C.F.R. �� 3.1600(c) and 3.1601(a)(1).

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for a right shoulder surgery at Golden Ridge Surgery Center on January 14, 2010 were not reimbursable as the care was not authorized in advance by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under emergency treatment provisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower respiratory disorder is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim to allow for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts have been rated as 30 percent since May 11, 2012. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent from February 1, 2009, to June 7, 2011, and prior to those dates, a noncompensable rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Guillain-Barre Syndrome did not begin during his active service and is unrelated to any incident in service. The claim for service connection is denied.