Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claim, including verification of service dates and documentation of any service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic back strain disability is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The appellant died during the appeal process, and therefore their claim for service connection for cancer has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board found that the Veteran's cocaine addiction was not caused by the in-service nasal surgery and topical administration of cocaine, but rather due to his own willful misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his right eye disorder, finding no new and material evidence that would link his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized dental expenses incurred from April 18, 2008 to May 9, 2008 were not reimbursable as they did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment or preapproval.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on loss of use of his left foot due to service-connected disability requires further review, including a VA examination to determine if he was unemployable solely due to his service-connected nerve palsy prior to March 30, 2000. The Veteran's claim also needs to be reviewed for factual ascertainability regarding the presence of complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve and loss of use of the foot.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for colitis, prostate disorder, residuals of a neoplasm behind the left eye (claimed as a brain tumor and left eye disorder), and arthritis. However, it denied these claims on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his left foot disorder, granted service connection but no compensation for residuals of a fractured left tibia with arthritis prior to September 23, 2009, and granted an initial 10 percent rating thereafter. For DDD of the lumbar spine, the Board found that he did not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent or 20 percent rating before or after September 23, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, including refractive errors and claimed as blindness, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the evaluation for lamellar macular holes in the right eye was properly reduced to a noncompensable rating, and service connection for an acquired pathology of the left eye remains intact. The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and certificates of eligibility were denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Raynaud's disease. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including whether it is related to military service or exposure to herbicides and/or excessive shock and vibration from firing artillery rounds.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for varicose veins of the right leg was denied as there is no evidence showing persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pharyngitis was denied as there is no evidence showing inflammation of cords or mucous membranes.

The Veteran died of Alzheimer's disease and pneumonia. The Board found that neither condition was related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but no more, due to the aggravation of his pre-existing condition by VA medical treatment.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed partial blindness of the left eye is not related to his military service, including any in-service injury or surgery.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected back disability was denied. The termination of additional compensation benefits for his dependent child, S.R., and the waiver of recovery of compensation indebtedness were also denied.

The Board found that peptic ulcer disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran served in Vietnam during his period of active duty, and to verify any exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death will be reconsidered based on this additional development.