Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine resulted in limited range of motion and no incapacitating episodes, warranting a 20% disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right side of the body, finding no evidence of such injuries during or after service. Service connection was granted for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left side of the body.

The Veteran's status-post operative fracture of the mandible was manifested by bilateral condylar wear with significant reduction of condyle, severe osteoarthritis of the left temporomandibular joint with moderate fibrous ankylosis, an interincisal range from 12 mm to 45 mm, lateral excursion ranges as low as 2 mm to 4mm, and functional impairment including limited bite strength secondary to pain, disturbed sleep, painful chewing, and use of a splint. The criteria for a schedular evaluation greater than 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's medical expenses for anesthesiological and radiological services provided at The Bowling Green Medical Center from December 17, 2006 to January 4, 2007 are now covered by VA.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine whether the Veteran currently has a skin disorder of the feet that developed in service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran claims left leg thrombosis is related to his military service, including herbicide exposure and diabetes mellitus. The Board finds a VA examination is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current coordination disturbance and weakness disorder of the bilateral hands did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to any incident during active service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder and granted service connection based on evidence showing that his current spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis are related to his military service.

The Veteran's gout was rated at 20% prior to November 27, 2010. Since then, the condition has been rated as 40%, reflecting active process with incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a year.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, which he contends is related to his military service. The Board finds that the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination and requests have not been obtained from all relevant sources. Therefore, the case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran did not properly complete her VA Form 22-1990, which was submitted in December 2009, and therefore it does not constitute an irrevocable election of Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. As a result, she is denied.

The appellant's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding where the Veteran was stationed during Project 404, and whether such location was subject to herbicide exposure. Further medical development is required if it is determined that the Veteran's death may be related to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ocular carcinoma is not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and the condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is likely caused by hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notification to the Veteran's representative, the Georgia Department of Veterans Services. The claim for nonservice-connected pension will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the termination of non-service connected pension benefits from May 1, 2008 to November 30, 2008 was proper. However, the termination of non-service connected pension benefits effective December 1, 2008 was not proper and the Veteran's benefits must be restored.

The Veteran was granted an extension of his delimiting date for educational assistance benefits to June 5, 2010. However, the Board found no further extension beyond this date is warranted as a matter of law.

The Veteran is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for six trips from his residence to the Phoenix VA Regional Office between December 2009 and April 2010, as per Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code.