Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services rendered at Sheftel Dermatology on May 24, 2012 is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disease, claimed as a circulatory disorder was denied. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also addressed and the Veteran's noncompensable evaluation was upheld.

The Board determined that the claimant's active military service from July 9, 1976 to September 12, 1979 is considered dishonorable for VA purposes due to willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's right to receive additional disability compensation with respect to her ex-spouse ceased after their divorce, and payment for the spouse as a dependent was properly discontinued effective January 31, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis preexisted his service and was not aggravated by it, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of $2,417.07 in VRAP benefits due to the Veteran's failure to meet program attendance standards and his wife's miscarriage preventing him from completing the training program.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot disability, hallux valgus, is not related to his service-connected shell fragment wounds and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a respiratory disability during the pendency of his claim and denied his service connection claim.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for memory loss and eye disorder, claimed as blurred vision. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The RO has not provided a higher rating as there are no incapacitating episodes of IVDS that meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability was denied. The Board found that the loss of teeth was not due to combat wound, dental trauma, or disease such as osteomyelitis in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorder, mycosis fungoide, is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent rating for the residuals of his left inguinal hernia. The issue regarding a higher rating in excess of 10 percent since July 14, 2015 remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than November 18, 2002, for the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's left leg complications after VA surgery are not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities of left hand, right hip, left hip, and left foot arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

Your claim for service connection for a low back and right side disability has been granted, effective December 4, 2007. You are now receiving a 40% disability rating for invertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pituitary microadenoma and galactorrhea, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran and to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing his claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the left and right hands.