Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish chronicity of the condition during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral heel spurs are not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability and did not manifest during active military service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current bilateral eye disability is related to his service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, which is not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's disability of the sternum, characterized by painful motion due to a healed injury, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of stomach ulcers that manifested during or as a result of active military service. The Veteran's separation examination did not reveal any chronic abdominal disability, and post-service treatment records do not demonstrate such a condition within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected right chest cavity residuals were rated at 20 percent prior to January 10, 2008 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for otitis externa of the right ear. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ear infections other than otitis externa of the right ear.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were reduced to zero percent ratings, effective September 1, 2006. The claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected delayed union of the right tibial shaft fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 23, 2006. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's lumbago is currently rated at 10 percent, and the service connection for kyphosis has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bowel dysfunction is related to his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, to include patellofemoral degenerative joint disease. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently shown bilateral eye disorder, including bilateral posterior vitreous detachment with vitreous floaters, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in response to the November 2007 rating decision denying increased ratings for his service-connected right hand tendonitis, history of old fracture, and left leg radiculopathy. As such, this aspect of the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's sister is not eligible for additional accrued benefits as she did not bear any expenses of the Veteran's last sickness or burial beyond what was already reimbursed by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) to include PTSD, a skin disorder other than chloracne, and chloracne/skin rash. The decision was based on the presumption that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $206,307.70 plus interest was granted. The timely filing of his notice of disagreement on the issue of whether a request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $35,035.34 plus interest was received is also addressed and granted.