Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative hypertrophic change at C4-5 was denied. The claims to reopen service connection for a pinched nerve, neck and collarbone, and tingling forearm were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip arthritis, which developed post-surgery, is related to his active service. The disability was granted as a direct result of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service in Vietnam and the Philippines, clarification of his theories of entitlement to service connection, and a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's left leg disability is secondary to his service-connected shingles (herpes zoster) with right L5 never root dysfunction, but the Board finds that there is a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence to deny this claim. The Veteran also has an issue regarding eligibility for an automobile and/or specially adapted equipment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the service requirements due to his active duty being during peacetime and not a period of war. The Board found that the eligibility requirements are constitutional.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records and an inability to determine if the Veteran had exposure to ionizing radiation. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which may be related to his brain tumor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myocardial infarction residuals with congestive heart failure were not incurred in, due to or aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of educational assistance benefits for the interval period between his fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters.

The Veteran's service period does not qualify him for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to the nature of his service.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable ratings for residuals of an injury to the right ring and little fingers, as well as a separate rating for a chronic nail bed injury with nail deformity and pain near a well-healed incision on the ulnar aspect of the right ring finger, was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for each condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and peptic ulcer, claimed as stomach disorder. The evidence received since the February 2004 rating decision raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claim of service connection for arthritis of the left foot.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 30 percent for his digestive disorder, effective from April 4, 2012. His TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran is seeking payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred in December 2010 and January 2011. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional records from private providers and VA facilities.

The Veteran's dental disability, identified as missing tooth number 8, is a result of trauma during active military service. Resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for service connection for missing tooth number 8 for the purpose of receiving Class II (a) VA outpatient dental treatment have been met.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency medical expenses incurred at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska on April 25, 2010 are covered by his commercial health insurance plan except for the patient deductible. As these charges are excluded under the Millennium Bill Act, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's and his spouse's income exceeded the maximum annual rate of pension, thus they are not eligible for reimbursement or payment of medical expenses incurred during non-VA ambulance transport on August 22, 2009, and August 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and a need for further examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) induced by medication prescribed by VA Medical Center staff in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2002. The case has been remanded due to the failure to obtain an examination and provide medical opinion.