Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's osteochondroma of the left index finger does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or significant functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to emphysema and found that there was no evidence linking it to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant's claim for educational assistance under Chapter 35 was also denied.

The veteran's claim for outpatient dental treatment at VA expense is denied as the condition of his teeth, while related to a service-connected duodenal ulcer, does not meet the criteria for adjunct VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to restoration of special monthly pension benefits due to a lack of need for regular aid and attendance or confinement to his home.

The Board found that the September 1958 determination denying service connection for a bronchial condition and residuals of pneumonia was not clear and unmistakable error, as there were no current respiratory conditions found at the time of the VA examination in August 1958.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disability and right fourth finger fracture was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's spouse's income was included as countable income for purposes of his improved disability pension, and the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his discharge from service under other than honorable conditions resulted from a pattern of willful and persistent misconduct. As such, his discharge is considered to have been issued under dishonorable conditions, precluding entitlement to VA benefits pertaining to that period, except for health care.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 15, 1996, for the payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits. The decision stated that the appellant was not entitled to an earlier effective date based on facts occurring subsequent to a previous final denial and did not fall within any exception to the regulations.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current chest pain and costochondritis to his service, thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an apportioned share of his VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of their minor child, finding that the veteran has reasonably discharged his responsibility for support and that the veteran's compensation is not great enough to permit a reasonable payment to both him and the appellant.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral post-traumatic costochondritis to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran did not submit a request for waiver of overpayment within 180 days after being notified, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected hiatal hernia, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on Diagnostic Code 7346 criteria. The veteran was assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance benefits due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim is well-grounded and remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Parker and scheduling a VA examination of his feet.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for subcutaneous lipomas and skin rash are well-grounded. The Board finds that the evidence supports these claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current lung disease that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied increased ratings for nasal bone fracture residuals and impaired field of vision of the right eye, finding that there was no current evidence to evaluate the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral frozen feet, left and right foot cold injury residuals. The veteran was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected conditions.