Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a skin rash of both arms and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective from November 30, 2000. In October 2002, the RO awarded a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the spine, arthritis of the right knee, and arthritis of the left knee.,Evidence presented by the veteran supports a finding that his current back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and parachute jumping activities in service are related.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on September 26, 2000, and October 7, 2000. The decision found that prior authorization was not obtained as required by VA regulations, and that none of the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations were met.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, claimed as residuals of a fracture, is dismissed because the issue has been resolved by granting service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right foot.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis and found that new evidence supports this. However, there is no current disability of edema, erythema, or ulcer of the left groin related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disabilities were aggravated during active service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal cancer, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient information regarding stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, iritis, and inguinal adenopathy. The decision also addressed increased rating claims for low back disorder, right wrist disorder, and polyarthralgia with positive rheumatoid arthritis test, but did not reach a final determination on these issues as the case was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a blood disorder, including anemia, finding that there is no current evidence of disability due to pernicious anemia and that it was not caused by exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's megakaryocytic hyperplasia with myelofibrosis (MHWM), effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU issue is resolved as the MHWM now meets the criteria for a 100 percent schedular rating, which resolves the issue raised on appeal.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating and earlier effective dates for his service-connected schizoaffective disorder have been granted, with the TDIU also receiving an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder (hyperopia and presbyopia) and defective hearing of the right ear. However, service connection is denied as refractive error is not considered a disability under VA compensation laws.,Based on the findings at entry and separation from service, there is no evidence to support that the veteran's current bilateral eye disorder or defective hearing are related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus with overlapping polymyositis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's dysthymic disorder, finding that the disability produced only definite impairment of social and industrial adaptability.