Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA health care system was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher priority group and is therefore not eligible.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 25, 2004 is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The veteran's emergency cardiac care at SCMC was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency, and VA facilities were not feasibly available for the treatment. The claim is granted as meeting one of the three requirements under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right forearm, involving Muscle Groups V and VII, warrant an evaluation of 40 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Board also found that the veteran's current low back disability is likely related to an in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's currently manifested gastrointestinal-related disorders, including rectal bleeding, colitis, and diverticulitis, are related to her active duty service. The claim for an increased rating for her service-connected appendectomy scar is also denied.

The veteran's death was caused by VA hospital care in June 2000, and the proximate cause of his death was an unforeseeable event. The Board finds that DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected dysthymia, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the appellant may not be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of entitlement to certain VA death benefits, including DIC and DEA benefits. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for duodenal ulcer and status-post lumbar strain with degenerative change and residual pain and limitation of motion, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected pain disorder, associated with psychological factors, is not rated higher than 50 percent prior to November 6, 1996 and not at all since that date.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease, status post vagotomy with pyeloplasty, and irritable colon syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. The left shoulder impingement issue is also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder, but finds that the evidence does not support granting this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the hands, finding that it is not related to Agent Orange exposure or cold weather injury and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found that the veteran's left leg disorder, including venous insufficiency, is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the veteran's service-connected upper back strain, effective from September 26, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran does not suffer from insomnia or memory loss, and such symptoms do not have an origin in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected back pain with radicular leg pain as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The VA granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's chemical burns of the right arm, effective June 15, 2006. The evaluation is in excess of what was initially requested.

The veteran's service-connected right leg and thigh muscle disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluations.,An initial compensable evaluation for his right leg scar is granted, while a higher evaluation for his right thigh scar remains denied.