Other conditions decisions — 2002

The RO denied service connection for arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, and vasovagal syncope and hypotension. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus with assigned ratings.

The VA has granted service connection for panic disorder without agoraphobia, but the current rating remains noncompensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining employment records from the veteran's former employer.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's bilateral postoperative cataracts and his military service, including periods of active duty for training. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of bilateral heel stress fractures do not warrant a compensable evaluation, as they are not shown to be more than minimal.

The Board found that the veteran did not undergo right testicular removal in service, impotence was not related to service-connected conditions, and residuals of cold injury to both feet were not caused by service. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the criteria are not met. The claim for a compensable evaluation for spermatocele of the right testicle is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by abdominal cramps, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the November 1991 rating decision is not new and material, and thus does not serve to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever.

The appellant is granted service connection for colon cancer on a radiation-presumptive basis. The other issues are addressed in the remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a hiatal hernia with reflux, finding no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left acromioclavicular joint and greater tuberosity is rated at 30 percent, effective from August 4, 2000.

The veteran's left-hand ganglion cyst is currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) and the evidence does not support a higher disability evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking current keratoconus and its complications to active military service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's bilateral inguinal herniae, currently rated at 20 percent.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through her authorized representative, has withdrawn the appeal.

The veteran's excision, sebaceous cysts are manifested by a tender scar in the posterior lower part of the neck. The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for these conditions under the old rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of pension benefits, finding that his original application was filed on February 23, 2000 and he did not file a retroactive claim within one year of becoming permanently disabled. The Board also found no evidence to support an earlier effective date due to incapacity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current noncompensable rating for his service-connected right ureterolithiasis is appropriate as there is no evidence of current symptoms or residuals from this condition.

The Board found no evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, or bad faith in the creation of the overpayment. However, recovery would not violate the principles of equity and good conscience due to the appellant's significant net worth and lack of undue financial hardship.

The VA has granted service connection for fracture residuals of the right fifth metacarpal, but determined that a noncompensable rating is appropriate.