Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate condition, as his current prostate condition is not related to prostatitis in service.

The veteran's service-connected lower back strain with scoliosis is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 6, 1999. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent from December 6, 1999 to June 30, 2000 and to 60 percent beginning June 30, 2000.

The veteran's emergency medical treatment for a severe finger laceration was found to meet the criteria for reimbursement, as all conditions for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 were met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death was listed as pneumonia due to glioblastoma multiforme, which is not among the disabilities presumed due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection was based on direct service connection, while the claim for new and material evidence was not reopened due to lack of new evidence.

The veteran's initial grant of service connection for residuals of left inguinal hernia was increased to a 10 percent rating, but the Board denied an increase beyond this rating.

The Board found that the veteran's aortic valvular stenosis was aggravated by service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran's status post aortic valve replacement does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 60 percent, given his significant exercise limitations and left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 35 to 45 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have active malaria or any disabling residuals of prior episodes of malaria, and there have been no confirmed episodes of malaria for many years. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating for malaria are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected prostatitis does not warrant a compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim. The Board also found no need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic tonsillitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as there is no evidence of hoarseness or inflammation of cords or mucous membrane.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disability and denied restoration of 20 percent ratings for his chronic sprains of the bilateral ankles. The RO reduced the ratings from 20 to 10 percent based on evidence showing normal range of motion in both ankles, without objective evidence of instability.

The Board found that the veteran's synovitis of the right knee does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disorder, which is diagnosed as refractive error, was not incurred or aggravated during service and therefore cannot be granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's Disease does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee and 20 percent for his left knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar nerve symptoms is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's left thumb disability, manifested by a residual laceration scar, is due to an injury sustained during active duty for training with the Virginia Army National Guard. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for penile sores and recurrent chancroids was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition had worsened to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim to reopen a skin disability due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.