Other conditions Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's left eye disability, manifested by floaters and photopsias with corrected visual acuity of at worst 20/25, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed hip disabilities, as they may be related to his service-connected right knee and ankle conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding his right eye disability claim due to withdrawal. The claims for left and right foot ingrown toenails were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 11, 2007, for a 20% rating for his left foot disability was not warranted as there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity of his condition during the period from April 11, 2006 through April 10, 2007.

The Board dismissed the appeal for reopening the previously denied claims for service connection for inadequate personality with insomnia. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye pterygium does not manifest with any visual impairment, disfigurement, conjunctivitis, or other symptoms. Therefore, the claim for a compensable disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's sleep disorder was first diagnosed during active duty service and has persisted since then. The Board grants service connection for a sleep disorder.