Other conditions Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, attributing it to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a finding that the cancer was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected Crohn's disease. The RO granted service connection and assigned an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but denied any increase beyond that. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the current severity of the veteran's condition.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses at Altru Hospital from February 27, 2000 to March 6, 2000 is denied as he was not service-connected for any disability and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The veteran died in March 1999 and was buried. The appellant filed a claim for non-service-connected burial benefits more than two years after the burial, which is untimely. The Board denied the claim as it did not meet the legal requirements.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The veteran's unauthorized medical services provided by Baxter Regional Medical Center on May 20, 2006 are eligible for payment or reimbursement under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act due to the emergent nature of his condition.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further proceedings consistent with a Court order. The appellant's husband served in units of the Philippine Army, and additional verification of his service is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastric ulcer with vagotomy and antrectomy, as well as a separate compensable rating for tender scar of the abdomen. The veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected compensable dental disability for which compensation may be granted, and thus denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's left varicocele is not related to his military service and denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral eye disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his military service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his L-1 vertebra fracture was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The service connection claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and TDIU are pending, but the new evidence received to reopen his hepatitis C claim has been found sufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for Reiter's syndrome, finding that the condition is related to military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right hand disability is granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent. The claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right elbow disability remains denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence linking his squamous cell carcinoma to active duty or any other condition for which he may have received service connection.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current lung disorder, including COPD, was incurred in or related to the veteran's military service. The veteran's dermatitis of the feet, pubic area and external auditory canals has been rated as 30% disabling under Diagnostic Code 7806 (eczema) since 1995.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current bilateral hearing impairment as defined by VA regulation and there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between his ACDUTRA period and his claimed bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his active service, including his exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection was denied.