Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board found that the claim for service connection for cause of death is not well grounded due to insufficient evidence linking the veteran's inservice smoking to his emphysema, which caused his death. The claim for DEA benefits was also denied as there was no established service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured left zygoma with deviated septum and antrostomy do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for amputation of the left fifth toe and metatarsal head, including as secondary to his service-connected plantar callus of the left foot, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, stomach problems, cramps, diarrhea, ulcers, hernia, prostatitis, and gastritis is denied as not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to exposure to ionizing radiation or active duty service.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the cause of the veteran's death to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's dental condition and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, nonspecific urethritis, and herpes progenitalis are not well-grounded because there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected sickle cell disease, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly evaluate the disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for apportionment of her estranged husband's disability pension benefits, finding that it would cause undue hardship to him and not permit a reasonable amount to be paid to her.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and a back disorder claimed as secondary to a right hip disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for a right hip disorder and concluding that there is no competent medical evidence linking any current right hip disorder to the veteran's period of service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it lacked jurisdiction due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeals for both issues.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder and found it well grounded. The VA is directed to arrange for an examination by a psychiatrist to determine if any currently diagnosed mental disorder is etiologically related to the veteran's service.

The veteran's meralgia paresthetica is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's request for a personal hearing has been acknowledged and the case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling of the hearing. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a left thumb injury remains pending.

The veteran's active duty and reserve service do not meet the eligibility criteria for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for right facial paralysis from September 21, 1993 until February 13, 1994 and in excess of 20 percent on and after February 14, 1994. The service connection claim for an acoustic neuroma of the right ear with right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has restored the veteran's 100% rating for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident with left hemiparesis and his special monthly compensation at the rate found in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(n).

The VA has determined that the veteran's Crohn's disease, currently rated at 60 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms and current medical findings.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the payment of death pension benefits, finding that the appropriate effective date is March 19, 1996, based on when the reopened claim was received. The decision also noted that payment prior to April 1, 1996, is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral defective hearing is not well-grounded and denied the claim.