Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's emergency medical treatment for chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath on September 11, 2003 was found to meet the criteria for reimbursement. The Tampa VAMC denied reimbursement due to a lack of an acute condition at the time of the ER visit, but the Board determined that given the veteran's history and symptoms, it was reasonable for him to seek treatment immediately.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features were denied. The current rating of 40 percent for the herniated nucleus pulposus is found to be appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's HIV infection results in some fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea but does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of AIDS or significant opportunistic infections. Therefore, he is denied an increased rating beyond 60 percent.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right upper arm fracture was denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hand disability, including scars and atrophy of the first interosseous muscle, is related to his in-service right hand infection. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder and determined that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The leg disorder is also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating from 10 percent to 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left trigeminal neuralgia, effective July 30, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's right elbow disorder did not cause an exceptional or unusual disability picture that rendered impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, and thus denied a higher evaluation on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for post-operative residuals of ulcerative colitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms are indicative of severe colitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's on-the-job training program did not meet eligibility criteria due to lack of supervision after August 31, 2000. As a result, the overpayment of $6593.81 is valid.

The veteran's appeal is about a waiver of recovery of an overpayment in the amount of $497.00, and it needs to be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is service-connected based on in-service combat exposure and current medical diagnosis.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of contusion of the coccyx and headaches.

The Board found that the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not present during service and is not related to his service-connected osteomyelitis, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by marked limited motion and complaints of pain. The Board finds that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of fracture of the left medial malleolus have not been met.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for residuals of MI effective from April 2, 2004. The veteran's service-connected MI residuals are currently rated as 30 percent prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected left hamstring strain, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board denied service connection for spina bifida in November 1996 and has not received new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right heel cord contracture, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent.