Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent right inguinal hernia, including its residuals from surgical repair, is service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's service is not considered active military service during a period of war, thus he does not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension.

The Board denied both claims for apportionment of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits and an earlier effective date for service-connected disability benefits, finding that the Appellant was not entitled to these benefits due to her estrangement from the Veteran.

The Board has ordered additional development due to uncertainty regarding the actual date of incarceration, which is necessary to determine when the reduction in disability compensation benefits should take effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a C&P examination to assess the severity of her hip disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of any diagnosed head and back disabilities, including a review by another VA medical professional or an addendum from the November 2010 examiner. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records should also be obtained.

The Veteran does not have gout or systemic multi-joint pain that is related to his service. His symptoms began after service and are better explained by other conditions.

The Veteran's residuals of multiple fragment wounds to the left knee and leg have been manifested by injuries to Muscle Groups (MGs) XI and XII that are best characterized as no more than moderate, each. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral otitis media is the result of noise exposure and infection during service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have CTS in either upper extremity and therefore, service connection for CTS of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of multiple joints was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected frostbite residuals. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bowel disorder claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and proper notification.

The Veteran's service-connected left varicocele repair is not manifested by atrophy of the testicles or other sequelae, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7523.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye vision injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative status, right ovarian cyst does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board also found that there is no basis to award special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis (trigger finger and osteoarthritis). The denial is based on a lack of current disability for right hand arthritis, while the claim for left hand arthritis is supported by medical evidence linking the condition to active duty.

The Veteran's request for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is denied as he does not have any active military service during a period of war.

The Board found that an overpayment of additional benefits on behalf of a dependent spouse was properly created, but any overpayment for additional benefits on behalf of a dependent spouse and step-child for the period extending from February [redacted], 2007, to April [redacted], 2008, was not properly created.