Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent since May 24, 2010. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to recent worsening of the Veteran's service-connected labyrinthitis and the need for clarification on whether there are objective findings supporting a diagnosis of vestibular disequilibrium. The Veteran needs to provide releases for any additional treatment records, which will be obtained by VA.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits are denied as they must share the same effective date of June 20, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for residuals of a left tibia and fibula fracture and entitlement to TDIU are now before the RO.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Flagler Hospital between May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010 due to his having an existing health care plan contract that covered part of the expenses. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error in this decision was denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for peritoneal adhesions associated with a psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and consider whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's right leg symptoms, including numbness and pain, were not caused by VA treatment in December 2000. The Board found that the additional disability was due to the natural progression of his back condition.

The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion from the gastroenterologist who provided an August 2012 opinion, and if unavailable, another physician with similar expertise should be asked to review the claims file. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board's August 1968 decision, which denied an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, is void ab initio due to failure to apply proper reduction criteria. The prior rating of 20 percent is restored as of December 1, 1968.

The Veteran's current bilateral eye disability, including blindness in his right eye, is not shown to be related to his service. His pre-service vision was normal and no chronic eye disability developed during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand disabilities, other than fractures, right second finger, and right thumb history of subluxation/dislocation, are not related to his military service or his service-connected fracture, right second finger and right thumb dislocation. The claim for bilateral knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an additional allowance for school children is denied as there is no credible evidence of attendance at VA-accredited schools during the period under appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's varicose veins of both lower extremities are likely due to prolonged standing during his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's recurrent gynecological infections, including candida vaginitis and chronic bacterial vaginosis, are related to her military service. Therefore, the appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's memory loss and dementia were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, secondary to a service-connected disability, nor may it be presumed to be related to his period of service in the Persian Gulf. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right great toe disorder is not related to his active duty for training in the Army Reserves. The claim of service connection for a right great toe disorder is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for helpless child benefits on behalf of his son due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as a VA social worker or other appropriate personnel must review the educational and medical records to determine if the Veteran's son became permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching 18 years of age.

The Veteran's genital herpes infection is rated at a 10 percent rating since July 25, 2012. Prior to that date, he was rated at 10 percent for his condition.