Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's deviated nasal septum does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as there is no evidence of 50% or more obstruction on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury of the right foot and left foot, finding that the earliest possible effective date is March 31, 2005.

The appellant's recognized service in the USAFFE and Regular Philippine Army is not considered qualifying service for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's service-connected hypogonadism is not manifested by a penis deformity with loss of erectile power, which would warrant a minimum 20% rating. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable rating for hypogonadism is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred due to a non-service-connected condition was denied because his income level did not meet the threshold requirement for nonservice-connected pension. The case is being remanded for further development, including determining the veteran's annual income from 2004 and 2005, and whether he is entitled to any deductions from his income.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, including Chagas' disease, and hypertension. The Board found no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to alcohol abuse was denied because VA facilities were found to be feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder in February 1997. The RO denied reopening the claim on multiple occasions, finding that new evidence did not provide a basis to associate the current condition with service. The veteran's recent submitted evidence was found to be cumulative and redundant.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his duodenal ulcer has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper notification of the claim requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's psoriatic arthritis is related to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for finger and toe disabilities, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or associations with his active military duty.

The Board found that the veteran's left leg disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left thumb injury do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his scars are rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7801. The issue of whether he is entitled to a separate rating for the scars on his left hand is considered as part of this decision.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for genital herpes from April 5, 1989, to August 29, 2002, was denied. From August 30, 2002, the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for genital herpes remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected right hand disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, effective December 17, 2004. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the cecum and colon due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no actual exposure to radiation during service and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive or alternative service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, pituitary tumor, and multisystem atrophy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims.