Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment received at the Muskogee Regional Medical Center from January 3, 2005 through January 5, 2005 are denied as there was no indication that VA or other Federal facilities were feasibly unavailable.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disabilities resulting from treatment at a VA facility in April 1998, specifically tongue deviation, difficulty swallowing, and problems with vocal cords. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical examination and determine if these conditions are related to the veteran's treatment.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his radiculitis of the 10th and 11th thoracic nerves, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including instability of the meniscus and arthritis with limitation of motion.

The veteran seeks service connection for cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development of records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board finds that the veteran's death-causing metastatic malignant meningioma is related to symptoms of headaches he experienced during service, warranting service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current skin disorder, including radiation burns, that is related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability resulting from an injury or disease in service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a left leg fracture. The Board has determined that additional evidence and an examination are needed to properly adjudicate his claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative right first MTP joint with traumatic arthritis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for HCL and pneumonia, finding no current disability for either condition. The claim for HCL was not granted as it is not a presumptive disease under VA regulations.

The appeal is being remanded due to the inability to locate a hearing transcript. The appellant has been granted an opportunity for another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for compensation for conjunctivitis under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The veteran's son, who was over the age of 18 and not pursuing education at an approved institution, is denied additional dependency benefits based on school attendance.

The veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of his bilateral legs is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date than March 15, 2001 for the grant of Dependency and Indemnity compensation (DIC) is denied. The March 2001 rating decision assignment of March 15, 2001 as the effective date for the grant of DIC became a final decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hand disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's dental condition, which is due to pre-existing trauma that worsened during service. The veteran will be eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rate, resulting in denial of his claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected mood disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional evidence and clarification of the extent of the veteran's disability.