Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center from April 12, 2014, through April 18, 2014 are granted for payment or reimbursement, subject to the Veteran's third-party coverage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to the appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual countable income limit.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for lichen simplex chronicus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial evaluation for left foot hammer toe with heel spur and weak foot, as well as the special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to August 21, 2017.

The appellant requested to withdraw her appeals, citing her remarriage and its impact on her eligibility for the benefits. The Board has dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran's loss of bowel control and bowel incontinence after VA hemorrhoid surgery is not compensable under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because the additional disability was neither caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA’s part nor an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's effective date for additional dependency compensation is granted as April 9, 1998 based on his increased combined rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a testicle disability was reopened and remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The tinea cruris claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the erectile dysfunction claim is also denied.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed testicle disability.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and her claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of death is moot.

The Veteran's gout disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's right foot bunionectomy residuals and hallux rigidus are denied an increased rating. The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus is granted a non-compensable initial rating prior to June 1, 2014, and a 10% disability rating thereafter.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability, finding that there is no evidence to support that his current diagnosis of a right hip sprain began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any left hand disability, including neuropathy diagnosed in July 2014. The Veteran needs to provide additional VA treatment records and undergo a medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness of unknown etiology, is denied. The evidence does not establish the presence of a current respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right thumb disability. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is caused by his military service, or if it was aggravated by medications taken for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's discharge from the Air National Guard was due to substandard performance, not a service-connected disability or willful misconduct. The appellant is granted transfer of education assistance benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's jaw disorder and his service. The Veteran needs to be examined by a clinician to determine if his current jaw pain is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's venous varicosities, right lower extremity, status post stripping surgery with scars, is rated at 40 percent since February 17, 2012 and denied for a higher rating.