Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic pancreatitis was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clear authority for verifying service from the NPRC, and the Appellant's claim is related to eligibility for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The VA examiner found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $2,093.74 in nonservice-connected pension benefits is valid and recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not shown to result in limitation of flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis or abnormal kyphosis. Therefore, the claim for a higher initial evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right hallux valgus from March 25, 2008 to May 1, 2010 is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating since May 1, 2010 remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing documents and better copies of medical records. The appeal is now pending further review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees prior to June 5, 2012. Ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine has not been shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on August 9, 2010 were not covered by VA because they did not meet the criteria for emergency care or payment under the Millennium Bill Act. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's laceration injury to the right carpal ligament, including the median nerve with asymptomatic scarring, was initially rated at 10 percent effective January 8, 2008. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective May 23, 2012.,A separate evaluation of a painful scar associated with the laceration injury was granted and has been in effect since January 8, 2008.

The Veteran's residuals of left knee replacement are rated at 30 percent for limitation of motion and pain throughout the period of the claim, with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability from January 4, 2011, through July 24, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left inguinal hernia is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury to the ears, nose, and lips are rated at 10 percent. The Board found that his symptoms have not warranted a higher rating for any part of the appeal period.

The Veteran died of Alzheimer's disease, with posttraumatic stress disorder listed as an underlying cause. The VA medical opinions concluded that PTSD did not contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not found to be related to his military service, and the Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition claimed as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CTS of both upper extremities and for a higher rating for lumbar strain, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran did not have CTS or any other disability that would qualify him for SMC at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the 1973 and 1976 rating decisions that denied service connection for a personality disorder and chronic nightmares related to a nervous condition. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of his conditions, not through a presumption or reopening due to new evidence.

The Veteran's residuals of left hamstring tear resulted in a moderately severe muscle injury affecting motion of the knee and hip, tendon damage, and deformity. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating effective February 10, 2012.