Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected deformity of the fifth finger of the right hand was denied. The RO evaluated this condition as zero percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred from March 9 to March 10, 2007 is granted as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records from his doctors.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of hands and feet have been granted service connection. The back injury issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his residuals of radical retropubic prostatectomy and consideration of whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income and net worth for the years 2008 and 2009 is excessive for VA purposes, thus denying her claim for improved death pension benefits.

The Board finds that the private treatment rendered on April 3-4, 2009 was for a condition of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for the cost of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred during this period is granted.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA medical facility on January 3, 2009 is denied as he did not receive any medical services within the previous 24 months prior to the incident and was not enrolled in the VA health care system.

The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation for a gunshot wound to the right hip and buttock. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and thus, service connection for residuals of a right hand fracture cannot be granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for transportation and treatment at Corning Hospital from November 30, 2009 to December 3, 2009 are granted as the condition was an emergency that posed a serious threat to his health.

The Veteran's prostate disorder was not incurred in active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current prostate disorder and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and he is currently rated at 10 percent under DC 5010.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity weakness and right foot drop, which are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle avulsion fracture. As this represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal, no further action is required in these matters.

The Board has granted the application to reopen a claim for service connection for a liver disability. The underlying issue of service connection is addressed in the REMAND portion and is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's residuals of a fractured left great toe with traumatic arthritis are manifested by severe foot injury, including constant pain, severely altered gait, and ankylosis. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current colitis and diarrhea were not related to his military service, including any exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected status post liver laceration was granted, but assigned a zero percent evaluation.