Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the tingling in his hands and extremities was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and that his PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Appellant withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a Certificate of Eligibility for Loan Guaranty Benefits before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran was not found to be a fugitive felon for the period from December 29, 2001, to July 15, 2005, and therefore, his overpayment of disability compensation benefits was valid.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right foot injury, partial amputation of the right great toe, was aggravated during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of Chapter 30 education benefits was due to an administrative error and granted a waiver for the debt.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in service records and a need to clarify the appellant's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's genitourinary condition, including chronic prostatitis, chronic urethritis, interstitial cystitis associated with chronic prostatitis and/or chronic urethritis, and pelvic pain syndrome associated with chronic prostatitis and/or chronic urethritis had its onset during service. As a result, the Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for residuals of exotropia at distance and near, status post bilateral lateral rectus resection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The evidence is divided on whether the Veteran's exotropia is congenital or acquired.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have Crohn's disease as a result of his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before another Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 30% to 10% for left upper quadrant abdominal pain with small tender mass was proper, effective September 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eye disability, specifically vision loss, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran's current back, neck, and head injuries may have been aggravated during his period of active service. The case will be reviewed again after further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 50 percent, which corresponds to unfavorable ankylosis with abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy was initially evaluated as noncompensable prior to January 7, 2005. After this date, he received a 30% evaluation based on evidence of cardiac hypertrophy on echocardiogram. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure and the disease was not shown in service or within one year thereafter. The Board also finds that the medical evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, finding that it is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee, left ankle, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran does not have arthritis of the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, hips, ankles, or the lumbosacral spine that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right lung disorder, including the residual of pneumonia, is denied as there is no current evidence of such a disability related to his in-service episode of pneumonia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy, claimed as an enlarged prostate, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.