Other conditions Board decisions

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a bilateral leg disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for burial benefits as his body was not held by a state or political subdivision of a state due to lack of next of kin. The claim is denied.

The Veteran currently suffers from gout, and there is a reasonable basis to attribute such disability to his active military service.

The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge was under conditions other than honorable due to multiple instances of unauthorized absence without leave (AWOL) and desertion, which constituted willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, his discharge is considered dishonorable, thus barring him from VA benefits.

The Veteran's posterior tibialis tendon tear of his left ankle is manifested by no more than moderate limitation of ankle motion, and the criteria for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent are not met.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Cape Coral Hospital on August 20, 2008 are approved as the closest VA facility was not feasibly available and no emergency treatment was needed.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to his death, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim at this time.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Health Central Hospital, Ocoee, Florida from October 13 to October 15, 2002 are now covered by VA. The decision is based on the need for emergency care and the lack of feasible transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's chronic bowel disease is currently rated at 100 percent since October 21, 2009. The condition has resulted in complete loss of sphincter control.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any cervical spine disorders found on examination, and whether they are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected back disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service is not considered qualifying for the one-time payment from the FVEC as he did not have prior service with the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tonsillar, throat, and oropharyngeal cancer did not manifest during service and was not due to exposure to herbicidal agents such as Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a liver disability related to his service, and thus, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the Veteran's claim for TDIU. The Veteran must be provided with an opportunity to perfect his appeal by submitting a timely and adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, finding that she did not make an irrevocable election for educational benefits under the Post-9/11-GI Bill program in lieu of benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) program.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of a neurofibroma removal have not been manifested by deep scarring or any other impairment warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent. The current rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of the disability.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for post-surgical right breast cancer, as there was no credible medical opinion linking the condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear cholesteatoma was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and is not related to any in-service event, injury, or disease. The evidence does not show a current disability within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by weight loss and diarrhea, including as due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The issue of entitlement to increases in the 'staged' ratings assigned for his anxiety disorder remains on appeal.