Other conditions Board decisions

The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 18 is denied because the child does not have spina bifida and the mother is not a Vietnam veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's stasis ulcers and steatomatosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a qualifying additional disability as a result of VA treatment in November 2006, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shell fragment wound disabilities to the right thigh are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep disability is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the VA examiner found no separate sleep apnea. The Board will consider whether a separate rating for sleep apnea should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins and poor circulation, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA consulting provider regarding new evidence and re-adjudicating the claim.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's myocardial infarction and metastatic colon cancer were not related to his service-connected psychosis with mental deficiency.

The Board found that the Veteran's current spine disability is not related to her military service and determined it was more likely caused by repetitive work she did after service, specifically working as a postal worker. The claim for secondary service connection based on her right knee scar was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left hip disability in service or at any time thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current left hip pathology is not related to his service-connected prostatitis. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash and cysts, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran is now entitled to an examination to determine if his current skin conditions are related to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the trunk area, including areas such as mid-back, left lower back, chest and mid-chest, right upper arm, abdomen, neck and right superior helical rim (ear) and periauricular scalp with actinic keratoses scars, warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran claims his current skin disorder is related to service, specifically a rash on his feet in Japan. The VA will conduct an examination and determine the nature of any current skin disorders and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC on January 8, 2008 is denied as there was no prior authorization and the treatment did not occur in a medical emergency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury, bilateral lower extremities and determined that new and material evidence was received. The VA examiner confirmed a history of cold urticaria during service and noted its persistence post-service.

The Board has determined that the appellant (C.P.) is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, and thus her claim is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility for a nonservice-connected condition were denied as prior authorization was not received from VA, and the Veteran had other health coverage (Medicare).

The Veteran's service as a Philippine Scout did not qualify him for compensation from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to his enlistment and reenlistment dates.