Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for back symptoms and body aches, muscle spasms, and joint pain (excluding the back) as they are not related to service.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current nasal obstruction and nose bleeds are related to his service, including a nose bleed during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left eye cataract does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation, as his best corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in both eyes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gouty arthropathy of the left ankle and foot, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of polyp removal as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired left foot disorder as secondary to service-connected low back spondylolysis at L5-S1, finding that the evidence did not support such a relationship.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the veteran's indication of receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability payments for a condition related to his pitting edema. The claim will be remanded for review after obtaining any relevant SSA records.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's nasal infection with polyps status post-operative rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction, finding that her symptoms did not warrant such a rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back fibromyositis did not begin during service or as a consequence of active service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a right hip injury, which was previously denied in September 1986. The appellant presented additional evidence including his own sworn testimony and VA/VA records that he sustained an injury to his right hip during service and that it was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's transurethral resection of the prostrate with penile implant is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of trauma to the genitourinary tract, with recurrent epididymitis, removal of the left testicle, and urinary retention is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's shin splints do not warrant a rating in excess of 0 percent (noncompensable). The condition is primarily manifested by complaints of pain on prolonged standing or walking, without significant associated impairment of the knee or ankle.

The VA denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected status post nasal fracture, finding that his current level of obstruction does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate whether the appellant spouse/payee was provided notice regarding their fiduciary duty to report changes in income or net worth. The case will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's claim of an increased rating for his service-connected disability has been dismissed as he has abandoned the appeal.

The veteran's right pubic ramus stress fracture with chronic right trochanteric bursitis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating remains in appellate status.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 21, 2001, for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease, left hip, status/post total hip replacement is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in rating criteria for spine disabilities and a need for updated VA examination.