Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a partial stomach removal, which was previously denied in September 1977.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder diagnosed as IgM nephropathy and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hemochromatosis is causally related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the condition was caused by or aggravated by service.

The Board determined that the appellant does not have qualifying military service for purposes of eligibility for VA pension benefits and therefore denied his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current disability of the left or right leg, medically defined as that portion of the lower extremity between the ankle and the knee. As a result, the Board denies service connection for bilateral leg disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of Hairy Cell Leukemia, finding that no informal claim was submitted prior to July 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, including residuals of a retina tear, loss of vision, and in-service eye infections is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's infection, including cellulitis and abscesses, is related to his ACDUTRA service, specifically as a result of a spider bite or treatment for cellulitis in March 2006. The examiner should also opine on whether the pre-service excision of pilonidal cyst was aggravated during his ACDUTRA service.

The Board has found that the criteria for a 10 percent initial rating for epididymitis are met, but not higher. The Veteran's constant groin pain is not contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating, and he has not established entitlement to additional benefits.

The Veteran's recurrent corneal erosion/degeneration of the right eye was determined to be not incurred in or aggravated by his service, as it preexisted his National Guard service and did not increase in severity during that time.

The Board and RO denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for skin cancer due to lack of material evidence, with no indication that VA care or treatment caused the conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for spondylosis at L4 to L5, claimed as back pain. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the lack of a pre-service examination and potential aggravation during active duty.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 100% to noncompensable for his service-connected abdominal aortic aneurysm was proper based on the evidence showing no current AAA and compensable residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for a colon ulcer disability, finding that it was proximately due to or the result of service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's residuals of a 5th metacarpal fracture do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's service treatment records show he was treated for pubic lice and gonorrhea during his active duty. However, there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions or their residuals.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of overpayment was denied due to bad faith and misrepresentation in the circumstances involving creation of the $3,000 indebtedness.

The Board has ordered a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot condition worsened during service. The case is now remanded for further development and review.