Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected heart condition contributed to his death, and thus granted service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of dental trauma, for the purpose of obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment was denied as his application was filed many years beyond the December 1954 time limit.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for duodenal ulcer disease, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that his pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a dental condition, finding that there is no evidence linking any current dental problems to an incident in service.

The Board found that the veteran's genu varum grade II is a congenital defect and not service-connected, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his varicose veins, finding that the existing criteria did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his post-polio syndrome was caused by polio vaccinations or a recurrence of polio during service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his death to any disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ulna, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran was granted service connection for spondylolisthesis and a 60% disability rating effective March 30, 1992. The issue of entitlement to total disability due to individual employability (TDIU) was also granted at the same time.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for post-operative residuals of Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand, effective from October 1, 1998.

The Board granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of right hand trauma to 70 percent and awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one hand, both effective July 19, 1990. Attorney fees are eligible from past-due benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of death pension benefits in the amount of $2,508.00 due to her bad faith.

The Board has granted an initial noncompensable (0 percent) evaluation for chronic Achilles tendinitis of the left leg, which is now rated as a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination, and thus no new evidence was provided.

The Board finds that the veteran's varicose veins do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 12, 1998. From January 12, 1998, the evidence does not show superficial varicose veins ranging over 2 cm in diameter with marked distortion, sacculation, and episodes of ulceration.

The Board granted increased evaluations for the veteran's gunshot wounds, with a 10 percent evaluation for each wound. The right parasacral area of the back received an additional 20 percent evaluation due to a through-and-through wound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right inguinal hernia and pyelonephritis, finding that neither condition meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that no timely substantive appeal was received to the July 28, 1992, rating decision which denied the claim of clear and unmistakable error regarding the August 18, 1970, rating decision. The issue of whether an August 18, 1970, rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous is dismissed.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a liver disorder, finding that it is not well-grounded.