Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's death in 1998 was not caused by any service-connected disability, including his right eye cataract.

The Board found that the appellant's net worth is excessive for receiving death pension benefits with special monthly pension, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected traumatic arthritis, residual of fracture, left distal radius warrants a 10 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his death to any incident of service.

The Board found that the decedent did not have recognized service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including the recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. As a result, the appellant's claim for VA benefits based on claimed service is denied.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility from November 4, 2002, through November 6, 2002 is denied as prior authorization was not obtained and the criteria for payment under VA regulations were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility on November 19, 2001. The decision stated that the veteran did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the criteria for payment or reimbursement of emergency treatment received from May 28, 2002, to June 5, 2002, have been met. As a result, the veteran's claim is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if a VA medical facility was feasibly available for the veteran's treatment, and to review the specific type of care needed by the veteran during his hospitalization at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

The veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from July 6, 2000 to July 9, 2000 were not reimbursable as he was not treated for a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected fracture of the left mandible with severe alteration in masticatory function, effective March 24, 1989.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an irregular heartbeat, stomach and intestinal disorders, and Gulf War syndrome due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to recent court decisions and incomplete medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected anterior compartment syndrome, status post fasciotomy, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the currently assigned 10 percent rating due to lack of objective evidence supporting limitation of motion in the ankle joint. The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent evaluation remains March 23, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for hematuria, left nephrectomy, and diverticulitis. The veteran's claims of new and material evidence were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 29, 1999 for service connection of bilateral patellar femoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran requires regular aid and assistance due to his bowel and bladder impairments. The issues of entitlement to higher special monthly compensation and service connection for deep venous thrombosis are also being addressed.

The Board has granted the veteran a higher initial evaluation of 10 percent for his service-connected pressure urticaria, effective December 4, 2000. The current rating is based on Diagnostic Code 7806 and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any other diagnostic code.

The Board denied the veteran's reinstatement of non-service connected pension benefits due to his income exceeding the established limit.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's chronic diarrhea and involuntary bowel movements, effective from March 5, 2001.