Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred during in-patient treatment at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, from May 27, 2015 to May 29, 2015 was denied because the claim was not timely filed within 90 days after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ureteropelvic junction obstruction and entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, including whether it is related to service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran should be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private medical records.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the requirements to be recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death pension and DIC benefits purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to asbestos during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracic strain with left sacroiliac joint dysfunction is rated at 40 percent effective January 25, 2016. His left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral vision disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected right eye pterygium and/or exposure to sun, wind, and sand while serving in Hawaii for 18 months.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral corneal dystrophy does not meet the schedular requirements for a higher disability rating, and his TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim challenging the validity of a debt in the amount of $17,513 and the propriety of recoupment by withholding future benefit payments is denied.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED for a Travel Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the Board is dismissing this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected gout is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health or incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a year.

The VA examiner determined that no lung conditions exist and therefore, the Veteran's calcified granulomata with perihilar calcifications in the lower lung field is not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lipoma did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for a lipoma of the right shoulder and neck is denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder and jerking leg condition are found to be related to his military service. The claim for a skin disorder is granted, while the claim for a jerking leg condition remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for retained metallic bodies in the abdomen, but denied service connection for a skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg and thigh varicose veins and/or phlebitis was denied as the currently diagnosed condition is not related to service. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of varicose veins were less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective December 19, 2011. The claim for a TDIU has been granted with an effective date of October 31, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability and right below the knee amputation, including as due to a service-connected right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a direct or secondary relationship between these disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current left eye disability is related to his in-service shrapnel injury and/or November 1971 foreign body removal, as well as whether it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.