Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate disorder is not related to his military service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding linking any current prostate disorder to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not shown to be etiologically related to service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right leg injury due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, finding that these conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection under any theory of entitlement.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic gastrointestinal disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and the viral gastroenteritis he experienced during active duty.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current neck disorder to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1976. The examiner opined that the condition is more likely due to aging and body habits.

The Board found that the Veteran's lipoma of the neck was a pre-existing condition prior to his entrance into service and did not increase in severity during his period of active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA eye examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current eye disorder, including whether it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left eye disability is denied.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for his current emphysema and obstructive lung disorder, which he claims developed during military service. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's lichen simplex chronicus is currently rated at 60 percent, effective from February 1, 2008. The appeal for increased rating was granted.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected mitral stenosis, as the last VA examination took place in August 2006 and he contends that his symptoms have worsened since then.

The Veteran's service-connected hammer toes with hallux valgus and calluses of both feet are currently rated at 10 percent each, the maximum available under Diagnostic Codes 5280-5282. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating as they do not present more than moderate impairment in either foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the RO (Travel Board). The Veteran does not have wartime service to establish entitlement to VA non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30) and Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) were denied as she did not meet eligibility criteria due to her active duty service being less than two years, and her eligibility for Chapter 1606 expired in January 2000.

The Veteran's condition was stable enough for him to be transferred to a VA facility on July 19, 2007. However, he could not have been safely transferred or discharged due to the lack of available VA facilities and his need for further treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher evaluation of 70 percent.