Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for rubella, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. The claim for increased rating of duodenal ulcer with small hiatal hernia is granted at a 10% disability rating. The claim for residuals of epididymitis is also granted at a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an abdominal or leg disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits beyond April 30, 1997 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for an extension of his delimiting date due to being involuntarily separated from the Selected Reserve and having a service-connected disability. He was also not enrolled in an educational institution at the time.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right radial nerve injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for residuals of retinal detachment resulting from cataract removal was denied as the disability is currently rated noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right (major) acromioclavicular separation, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the clinical evidence and applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because they died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that his current neck disorder, including torticollis and head tremor, is related to a combat injury he sustained during service. The Board granted service connection for these residuals of a neck injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stomach problems (claimed as residuals of botulism) and arthritis, multiple joints to include hips, shoulders, knees and ankles, bilaterally, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's retained surgical clips are service-connected as they resulted from his service-connected left lower lobectomy with bronchiectasis. The claim for an increased rating for the left lower lobectomy is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash and carbuncle, polycythemia, an eye disability, and fainting spells, including those claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the appellant's urinary tract infection, with internal bleeding, was not present during service and is not related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements for Chapter 30 educational benefits due to his separation from service being due to alcohol rehabilitation failure.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for shell fragment wounds of the right and left thighs has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for venous insufficiency of both legs. The veteran's well-grounded claim is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the left middle finger with fracture and weak grip is not well-grounded, as there are no findings or evidence indicating any other conditions related to service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for gingivitis. However, the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for migraine headaches due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is granted.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current leg disabilities to his period of service, including jungle rot. The claim is denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the reduction from 100 to 20 percent effective June 1, 1997 and also denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected post radical retropubic prostatectomy for cancer of the prostate.