Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Redwood Memorial Hospital from May 17, 2003 to May 19, 2003 are denied as he was stabilized on May 16, 2003 and VA had already provided payment for the initial emergency evaluation and treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no direct evidence linking the esophageal cancer to his military service or herbicide exposure. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease is no more than moderately disabling and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7305. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim, thus it was denied.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not incurred or aggravated in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development and notification, as the prior denial of service connection was based on insufficient evidence relating the veteran's death to a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered the VA Medical Center to review the case and determine if a non-VA facility's services were necessary due to an emergency. The decision is pending further development.

The Board finds that the appellant is not eligible for death pension benefits due to her spouse's service in the Philippine Scouts, which does not qualify for VA pension purposes.

The Board found that a medical emergency existed and a VA facility was not feasibly available when the veteran received treatment at McCall Memorial Hospital from December 13, 2003 to December 15, 2003. As such, the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which began during service and is related to a congenital ventricular septal defect, was incurred in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, nightmares, fatigue, and long-term memory loss due to undiagnosed illness as his symptoms are attributed to a personality disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 5, 2002, for the grant of service connection for congestive heart failure.

The veteran's claim for service connection for achy joints, including arthritis of multiple joints is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by severe limitation of motion and no ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome, warrants a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral foot disorder as a result of cold injury sustained during service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal on his claims of entitlement to service connection for allergies, residuals of a nasal fracture, residuals of a fractured thumb, and numb toes due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.