Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for service-connected residuals, bilateral herniorrhaphy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's bony mallet deformity of the left long finger with non-united avulsion fragment is rated as non-compensable, and there are no periods during which a compensable rating would be warranted.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's unauthorized private emergency services on June 7, 2002 were reimbursed as his condition met the criteria for an emergency medical situation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for avascular necrosis of the hips and increased disability ratings for lumbosacral spine injury with ischial radiculopathy, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disorder and found that the effective date of an increased rating from 10 percent to 40 percent for right elbow disability should be August 4, 2006.,It was determined that there is no factual evidence showing the increase in the veteran's right elbow disability prior to August 4, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for information and evidence within the required timeframe.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by acute myelocytic leukemia, which is considered a direct result of his service as a diesel engine mechanic. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Lourdes Hospital from July 18, 2000 to January 3, 2001 were not considered emergency care and thus do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of degeneration of bones, teeth, spine, and joints during service or within one year after discharge. The veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an extension of his basic 10-year period of eligibility for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill was denied because the proper delimiting date had already been adjusted to November 6, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disorders, including macular degeneration and cataract, were not proximately due or the result of his service-connected right eye loss of vision with macular degeneration. The RO has already granted a rating of 30 percent for the right eye disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals, pilonidal cyst is granted as there is at least a reasonable possibility of a causal relationship between his in-service pilonidal cystectomies and current symptoms such as fecal incontinence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is denied as there is no credible medical evidence or opinion establishing a reasonable basis for associating any current back problems with an incident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for Horner's syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran is seeking an extension of a temporary total rating due to treatment for service-connected colectomy for diverticulitis requiring convalescence. The case has been REMANDED as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder can be decided on the merits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer claimed as soft tissue sarcoma due to herbicide exposure during military service in the Republic of Vietnam is denied.