Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the prostate disorder and right ring finger disorder are denied as they amount to freestanding claims for an earlier effective date, which cannot be granted once a rating decision becomes final.

The Veteran's initial claims for an initial compensable disability rating for removal of the left testicle and residuals of testicular cancer, to include retrograde ejaculation have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.,VA examinations conducted in February and September 2013 did not disclose any evidence of local recurrence of testicular cancer or metastasis; nor has the Veteran so alleged. These same examination reports were negative for any evidence of renal and voiding dysfunction.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right foot disorder related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA examination to address whether the Veteran's basal cell carcinomas are related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The claim will be adjudicated again after the examination.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for the claim of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left upper extremity condition and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that his stroke or PTSD caused his current left upper extremity condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell invasive urethral carcinoma is not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied.

The Board found that the termination of VA compensation benefits for the period from November 18, 2002, to July 22, 2010, based on a mischaracterization of the Veteran as a fugitive felon was improper. As such, service-connected compensation benefits were restored for this period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's left hip avascular necrosis, status post-surgical repair, is not manifested by nonunion fracture of the surgical neck with a false joint or malunion with marked or moderate knee or hip disability. Therefore, his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's urticaria is rated at 30 percent since September 11, 2009. The effective date for this rating is October 7, 2015.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's pulmonary embolism, B cell lymphoma, or adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at [redacted] from July 25, 2011 to August 3, 2011, finding that the care provided was not emergency treatment and did not meet the criteria for VA reimbursement.

The Veteran's esophageal adenocarcinoma is attributable to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran. The claims will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran does not have a current skin disability of the bilateral feet and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip disorder is not related to his service-connected left hip disability and denied secondary service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and cognitive disorder, NOS are causally or etiologically due to a traumatic brain injury sustained during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of dental trauma, finding no evidence of injury during service and concluding that any current condition is not related to his military service.