Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Gaston Memorial Hospital on June 2, 2010 are now eligible for reimbursement as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head trauma and a jaw disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service. However, he does not meet the criteria for service-connected compensation or VA outpatient dental treatment due to partial loss of tooth number seven.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the VA treatment did not result in additional disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of panic disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a new VA examination and considering all evidence of record.

The Veteran's rhabdomyolysis with residual proximal muscle weakness is found to be due to the carelessness, negligence, or fault of VA in prescribing statin medications. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to adenocarcinoma of the cecum and liver metastasis, which is not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence that herbicide exposure caused or contributed to these conditions.

The Veteran does not have an additional disability of the spine due to VA treatment received in November 1993.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the local RO in New York, New York.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's oral bone loss is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Western Plains Medical Center from July 4, 2011 through July 6, 2011 is denied as he did not receive VA treatment within the prior 24-month period and his condition was an emergency requiring immediate care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of bruxism resulting in a disability for which VA compensation benefits are payable, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hand disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral heel spurs with right Achilles tendonitis and calluses are rated at 10 percent, while his service-connected rib disability is not assigned a rating. The Board denied the claims for higher initial evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain. The issue of an increased rating for the right ankle strain remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's SMC claim due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records from the VAMC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right foot disability for purposes of service connection and denied his claim. The issue regarding an upper thoracic spine disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a right arm disorder with high ulnar nerve palsy, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.