Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current dental disorder and denied his claims for service connection for a dental disorder, as well as for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metatarsal are currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of an old healed left 5th metacarpal fracture was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA podiatry examination to determine whether the Veteran's left foot hallux limitus is related to service, his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis or bilateral ankle disorders, or otherwise. The examiner should provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed hallux limitus and its relationship to service.

The VA Medical Center denied payment for unauthorized private medical expenses incurred by the appellant at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas from March 26 to April 3, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's fatal aspiration pneumonia was not due to a service-connected disability, and concluded that no service-connected condition contributed to his death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity for a VA examination. The goal is to determine if the current skin condition is related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 22, 2001 for the grant of service connection for right thigh myositis ossificans and for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's original vocational rehabilitation program goal was to obtain and maintain entry-level employment as a pastor or related profession. The Veteran has already achieved this goal, but the Board finds that additional vocational training benefits are not warranted because he is currently employed in his chosen field.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity shin splints and left heel fracture are found to be related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination of his service-connected left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his left eye disability, helplessness, and visual impairment.

The Board finds that the appellant is not eligible to receive any death pension benefits due at the time of her father's death because she does not meet the legal definition of a 'child' for VA purposes. The claim of entitlement to accrued benefits also lacks legal merit as there were no due, but unpaid, benefits at the time of her father's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private treatment records from Dr. C.S., and the appellant's representative is given a chance to respond with additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer and DIC benefits, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplasia, including as due to exposure to herbicides and radiation, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral defective hearing does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's mood disorder has been rated at 70 percent since May 14, 2008, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's post-service respiratory symptoms are not etiologically related to his in-service respiratory symptoms and did not have hypertension during service or within one year of his discharge from service, nor is it otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane of the right eye, claimed as status post photodynamic therapy. The VA examiner determined that this condition is related to his aging macular degeneration and not to his diabetes mellitus type II.