Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his bilateral hands arthritis and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg varicose veins and finds that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder manifested by chronic stomach and rectal bleeding is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a dental disorder was withdrawn prior to final decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment of private medical care expenses incurred on April 8, 2012, through April 12, 2012, at Baptist Medical Center is granted due to the reasonable expectation that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claim is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a mid-back disability are the subject of a separate decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of a psychiatric disability claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new opinion on whether the Veteran's intestinal polyps with a post-operative ileostomy is related to his service-connected post-gastrectomy syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Yavapai Regional Medical Center has been denied by the VA Medical Center in Fort Harrison, Montana.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for muscle spasm and weakness, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeals for increased disability ratings for chronic posterior tibialis with heel spurs and hammertoes of the left foot, second through fifth toes. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atherosclerotic vascular disease, including his right leg amputation, is as likely as not due to frostbite he experienced during service in Korea. The case was decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's residuals of multiple strictures have been rated at 30 percent since December 3, 2015. This rating is based on the need for intermittent use of an appliance (catheter) due to voiding dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to arrange for an expert to compare the thumbprint on a May 1946 Form 23 with all fingerprints submitted in conjunction with the Appellant's claim for FVEC benefits.

The Board denied service connection for left and right leg disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a compensable disability during the appeal period.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right hand condition will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have nerve damage to the head, to include a benign essential tremor of the head and hands, due to his service. The claim was denied as there is no medical evidence showing such condition during or after active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his case by the Director of Compensation and Pension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his increased rating for a left hip disability and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peritoneal cancer was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hereditary hemochromatosis did not manifest during service and is not considered to have preexisted his active service. The disease was not noted in his service treatment records, and there is no evidence of symptoms or pathology prior to 2009 when he was diagnosed with the condition.

The Veteran's cancer of the tongue and oropharynx is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for cancer of the larynx is denied.