Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for spinal meningitis, but the effective date remains to be determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right repaired inguinal hernia does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there is no evidence of recurrent hernia or functional limitation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's undifferentiated somatoform disorder is related to active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a GSW to the left thigh involving Muscle Group XIII are currently rated at 10 percent, which is considered moderate impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development, including verification of potential exposure at Nam Phong, Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left mandible fracture residuals and zygoma was denied, as the evidence did not show any displacement or functional loss. The issue of TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to secure or follow a gainful occupation.

The Veteran's current back disability is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The Board found that the injuries sustained in a 1967 motor vehicle accident were not incurred in the line of duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis and entitlement to increased ratings for his low back disability and right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of keratoconus, and the current low risk keratoconus suspect is not causally related to his active military service. The Board finds that there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is characterized by symptoms such as anger, irritability, restricted affect, impaired short term memory and isolation. The disability results in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's right footdrop disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there are no symptoms or findings consistent with complete paralysis or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a separate sleep disorder for which service connection can be granted, as his reported sleep issues are considered part of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's numbness and tingling in his lower extremities is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents during service. As such, he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for larynx cancer was received on August 31, 2007. The Board finds that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not submit a claim prior to this date.

The Board found that the appellant received payments of $450.00 and $10, 150.00 to satisfy valid debts she owed as administratrix of her daughter's estate. These payments are not considered income for VA pension purposes due to their debt-satisfaction nature.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his period of service from June 26, 1982 to May 19, 1987 was discharged under other than honorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, he is barred from VA benefits.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right elbow disability, which he contends was incurred during active duty. The VA has ordered the case back to be remanded due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for spinal cord ischemia injury with severe paraparesis and complete bowel and bladder involvement resulting from November 2006 surgery, as this disability was not the result of his own misconduct, caused by VA surgical treatment, and due to an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran without a waiver of RO review.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because his notice of disagreement with the March 2008 rating decision denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patellar femoral tendonitis was not filed within the one-year period following the notification letter.