Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an examination by a qualified medical professional. The Veteran's claim of service connection for status post tubal rupture surgery (claimed as ruptured ectopic pregnancy) will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his right elbow joint spur.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected pinguecula of both eyes is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the provision of private treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hammer toes to both feet and increased ratings for her hallux valgus disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is necessary before the claims can be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture, right tibia, fibula, and medial malleolus with arthritis of the right ankle is manifested by right tibia and fibula impairment of nonunion of, with loose motion, requiring use of a brace. The Board finds that a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for these residuals is warranted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current staph infection or fever residuals, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his recurrent cysts on face, arms, and ears are related to service, specifically exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam. The TDIU claim is also held in abeyance.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the March 2014 statement of the case. The Veteran and his representative have been given an opportunity to respond, and the claims will be returned for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, recognition as the surviving spouse, burial benefits, and accrued benefits. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right ring finger numbness and a right little finger condition, claimed as a cracked joint. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claim on the merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received to support the claim. The Veteran was exposed to hazardous chemicals while stationed at the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory but the specific chemicals cannot be confirmed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability and Crohn's disease, as well as his claims for increased ratings for small bowel resection and scars due to gunshot wound, need further development. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the severity of his digestive and gunshot wound disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Sweet's disease, claimed as a skin disability due to herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no probative medical evidence establishing the presence of a chronic skin disability or a link between his service and this condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency treatment at Providence Centralia Hospital for bronchiectasis was found to meet the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725, as he satisfied all eight elements of eligibility.

The Veteran's brady-tachycardia syndrome, status post pacemaker is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for accrued benefits and burial benefits as there is insufficient evidence to support the appellant's claims.

The Veteran's left hand disability, including Dupuytren's contracture and a previous tendon repair, was evaluated as noncompensable prior to September 13, 2013; 10 percent from that date until March 25, 2016; and 40 percent thereafter. The highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes is assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience for the entire period on appeal.