Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to Muscle Group XX is being remanded due to conflicting data regarding the exact location and severity of the injury. The RO must schedule a VA examination to determine these details, including whether the injury was in the thoracic or lumbar region.

The appellant is not recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefit purposes due to her divorce from the veteran many years prior to his death.

The veteran's service-connected prostatitis with urethral stricture was granted an initial disability evaluation of 20 percent effective June 2, 1997.

The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claim of service connection for residuals of a right leg injury, as there is no current diagnosis or medical opinion linking any current disability to service.

The appellant and her family members are the proper beneficiaries of the veteran's NSLI policy, each receiving a specified percentage of its proceeds.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left elbow injury and scarring, finding that the disability did not warrant a higher rating based on factors other than arthritis and limitation of motion.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral defective hearing is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination and review of his claims folder.

The Board has ordered the VA Medical Center to complete additional development regarding whether the veteran had mandatory eligibility for VA hospital care under a specific statute. The case is now remanded for further adjudication.

The Board denied the appellant's waiver of recovery of loan guaranty indebtedness, finding that collection would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on the part of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for recognition as his surviving spouse, finding that he and the appellant did not continuously cohabit from 1983 until his death in 1991. The decision also noted that the appellant sought apportionment of the veteran's VA compensation on behalf of their children, which indicated they were living apart.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma due to exposure to Agent Orange as his claim was not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of a brain tumor, finding that there was no positive association between Agent Orange exposure and the development of the brain tumor. The evidence did not support a presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left inguinal herniorrhaphy and postoperative residuals of a left varicocelectomy do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently rated.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right great toe, effective from June 8, 1998. The claimant also received secondary service connection for hallux vagus of the right foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented. The decision is based on the lack of medical evidence linking the current low back disorder to injuries during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right little finger fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as they are not shown to be productive of bony deformity or related functional limitation of a compensable degree.

The Board denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical services provided by Triangle Laboratories due to the absence of a medical emergency and the lack of feasibility of VA facilities being available.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right femoral hernia, claimed as secondary to his service-connected postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia, is not well grounded. The evaluation in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia also failed to meet the criteria.