Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from January 29, 2004, to February 3, 2004 was granted. The decision is based on the fact that the emergency treatment provided in a non-VA facility was necessary due to an urgent condition and delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis, which were previously rated as part of the same entity, are now recognized separately with a combined rating of 40 percent effective March 3, 2006. The Director of Compensation and Pension granted an additional 10 percent extraschedular rating for the bromhidrosis component.

The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension is denied as he had no recognized active duty service during a period of war.

The Veteran's currently-shown bilateral Athlete's foot is related to service and the appeal for mental stress was withdrawn. Therefore, the claim for bilateral Athlete's foot is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for a herniated disc at L5-S1 was denied, with the current disability rated as 40 percent disabling. The issues regarding depressive disorder were also addressed and the Veteran's claim for TDIU was not granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating to 10 percent for postoperative right pneumothorax, effective from November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected postphlebitic syndrome and whether he has any currently diagnosed left leg postphlebitic syndrome. The claim for service connection for the left leg postphlebitic syndrome will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether the appellant wants a videoconference hearing or Travel Board hearing at the RO before a VLJ. The claims file should be returned to the Board after the hearing is conducted, withdrawn, or if the appellant fails to report.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He is also entitled to separate compensable ratings for numbness in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses for a non-service-connected dog bite injury is denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for emergency care.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient detail in the examination report, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his gastrointestinal symptoms are related to his service-connected gastric resection.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrhea of the scalp and dyshidrosis of the hands are currently rated at 30 percent, which is considered 'protected' due to having been in effect for more than 20 years. The Veteran's mixed tension vascular headache disorder is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disability, to include cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, was not incurred during active service and is not related to any incident of such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for growths such as cysts and lipomas. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature of these growths, their etiology, and whether they are related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she was not married to the Veteran before or during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip disability, including strain and/or fracture, began during service and continued after separation. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the termination of the Veteran's VA pension benefits from December 27, 2001 was improper due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran knew he had a fugitive felon status and thus engaged in an intentional act of fleeing from prosecution.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis and granted it on the merits, finding that the Veteran's first kidney stone was manifested within one year of his discharge from service and that he has had ongoing chronic recurrent nephrolithiasis.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date beyond August 8, 2001, for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code was denied as there is no legal basis to grant the benefit.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her forfeiture of VA benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the original decision in December 1976.