Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew all matters from appellate consideration, including the claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right eye injury with history of detached retina, decreased visual acuity with residual field defect.

The Veteran's right ear disorder was not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current Lyme disease or its residuals, and there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed conditions and service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication due to mischaracterization in the February 2014 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and clarification of treatment history.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for attorney fees in the amount of $2,886.40 from past-due benefits based on the award of SMC in a June 2012 rating decision because there was no NOD filed as to any final determination pertaining to SMC benefits.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn representation and any claim of entitlement to additional attorney fees, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary to determine whether payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred during the Veteran's hospitalization at The Villages Regional Hospital from May 13, 2012 through May 15, 2012 can be made beyond the point of stabilization.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a laceration of the left thumb tip. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's travel expenses for an ambulance transport from a private hospital to the Boise, Idaho VA Medical Center on September 8, 2012 are approved as he was unable to defray the cost and the transfer was in connection with a medical emergency.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of extraschedular rating on a compensable basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a skin condition (claimed as jungle rot).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, and the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses at a private facility is pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining whether the appellant can be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse to establish DIC benefits.

The Veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 26, 2013, due to a fall resulting in a broken right leg. The claim is granted as the treatment was sought at the nearest available facility and the Veteran had enrolled in the VA health care system prior to the incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand fracture warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not serve on active duty during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the overpayment of VA disability compensation in the amount of $1,130.81 was not validly created due to significant fault on the part of VA and against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's service connection for dysthymic disorder was granted with a rating of 100% effective May 9, 1994. The appellant seeks retroactive payment of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 but the claim is denied as there is no legal basis for retroactive payment.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral hip arthritis and his service, denying his claim for service connection.