Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and granted service connection based on evidence showing a current disability, an in-service disease or injury, and a nexus between the two.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental injury with loss of teeth for compensation purposes is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's left foot disability, consisting of hammertoes and hallux valgus, is rated at a combined 20 percent. The right foot disability, consisting of hammertoes, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran effectively withdrew his appeal for a higher initial disability rating for sterility of the left testicle and for an increased rating for post-operative status of cancer of the right testicle with right orchiectomy in April 1968, which made the November 1967 rating decision final.

The Veteran's left lower extremity nerve damage and loss of use of the left foot are found to be a result of his July 2010 VA fem-pop bypass surgery, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for additional Chapter 33 educational benefits in excess of the maximum allowed (48 months) was denied as she had already used her full entitlement under Chapters 30, 31 and 33. The decision states that an extension beyond 48 months is not possible due to the law limiting aggregate education benefits.

The Veteran's left and right ear perforated ear drum disabilities have been productive of swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, pain, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment. As a result, the Board has granted compensable ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in the previous VA examination and the need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's scleroderma and his active duty service, including exposure to TCE.

The Board found that the appellant's testicle injury was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment was not timely, as the VA Debt Management Center notified him in January 2008 and extended the deadline to file a waiver. The Veteran did not submit his waiver within the extended period.

The Veteran's stepchild is seeking retroactive Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to August 22, 2011. The case has been remanded due to the lack of information regarding earlier denials and incomplete documentation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum is due to an injury sustained during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for a nose disorder.

The Board denied service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the left knee, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her incompetent cervix, status post cerclage does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to secure relevant VA treatment records, including those from Coatesville and Philadelphia VAMCs. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left inguinal hernia and found service connection for his stomach disability secondary to medication used for other service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his left shoulder, lumbar spine, knee instability, hip tendonitis, and foot conditions are not supported by the evidence of record. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit determination information.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are not manifested by malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula, which is a requirement for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5262. Therefore, his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral shin splints has been denied.