Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 26, 2008 to June 28, 2008 were denied because the evidence showed he had coverage under a health-plan contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye blindness was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part. The Board also determined that the blindness was not an event not reasonably foreseeable prior to his multiple surgeries. Therefore, the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for strabismus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen beyond its natural progression during military service.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, and the Board finds that it did not result from a failure to exercise reasonable care. The additional disability is not compensable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's muscle pain and fatigue are presumed to be due to his service in the Persian Gulf War, as they have been present for at least six months since service and cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neural deficits of the left lower extremity are causally related to his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's shell fragment wounds of the right and left legs are rated at 10 percent, effective May 9, 2008. The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD prior to February 21, 2007, but granted service connection for PTSD from that date onwards and a TDIU.

The Veteran's left hand palmar surface laceration residuals are manifested by two visible scars, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion or other disabling effects. A 10 percent disability rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sexual dysfunction, concluding that there is no credible evidence of a currently diagnosed disability and the Veteran's reports are not supported by contemporaneous medical diagnoses or subsequent findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic valve disorder, enlarged and tortuous aorta, and aortic aneurysm are the result of disease incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a presumption of herbicide exposure or any other link between the Veteran's military service and his lung cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected loss of the nasal half of the visual field of the left eye is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability.

The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for any in-service stress fractures of the bilateral feet and no current disability was found in post-service treatment records. The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which resulted in denial of his claim for a compensable rating for keratosis of the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophagitis (irritable colon syndrome), hiatal hernia, and ovarian cancer have been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for removal of ovaries and residuals of ovarian cancer is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated disc at L4-5 is now rated at 40 percent effective as of March 13, 2010.

The Veteran does not have cataracts or prostate disability that are attributable to military service, or that were caused or made worse by a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's cataracts and prostate disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, claimed as arrhythmia, was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran is diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and served in a unit that operated near the Korean DMZ, qualifying for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to obtain additional VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic and intractable pain in the back and chest following VA surgical treatment is not deemed to be due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or error in judgment on part of VA.