Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right, left arm or right hand disability due to disease or injury which was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and an increased rating for his thoracic spine disability, finding no diagnosed residuals from the in-service head injury and that the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a pilonidal cyst and thus denied his claims for service connection on direct basis and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess any current right thumb disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran's reports of nail falling off about once per year since service are also to be considered.

The Board denied a compensable initial evaluation for recurrent UTIs due to the lack of relevant evidence in the claims file at the time of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there is no evidence of recurrence or symptoms related to the condition.

The Board has vacated the remand portion of its July 17, 2012 decision that addressed service connection for dysthymia due to an error in finding no SOC had been issued. The case is now remanded for further development and re-adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to bilateral surgical fasciotomies is pending. The effective date claim for service connection of degenerative joint disease, bilateral ankles, prior to August 21, 2006, has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Tampa VA Medical Center must ensure all pertinent records have been associated with the claims file, including private medical records and evidence referred to by the Veteran. The VAMC should also obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition was stable enough for transfer to a VA facility on January 23, 2004.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for angioneurotic edema, but no more, based on the frequency and duration of attacks.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for hammer toes can be decided.

The Veteran's death occurred prior to the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which established a one-time payment fund for veterans who served in the Philippines during World War II. The appellant cannot collect benefits as a payee surviving spouse because the Veteran was deceased at the time the Act was enacted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right little finger disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of joint involvement or significant functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requires an etiological opinion from a specialist in brain tumors. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right heel disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is now entitled to an examination to determine if he has a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's G6PD deficiency was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left testicular epididymitis issue remains pending as a compensable rating is sought.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not legally entitled to educational benefits and therefore, his claim for educational assistance benefits is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen a claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board finds that the contaminated blood transfusion on January 9, 2008 did not contribute to the Veteran's death from hospital acquired pneumonia due to or as a consequence of myelodysplastic syndrome and Tau angioimmunoblastic lymphoma. The Veteran's immune system was severely compromised by his underlying conditions.

The Board has determined that a hearing is needed for the appellant and other claimants due to this being a 'contested claim'. The case is REMANDED for scheduling of the Travel Board hearing at the San Diego, California RO.