Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of interference with breathing or obstruction of nasal passages resulting from his in-service nasal fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed chronic weakness of the lower extremities is not causally related to VA treatment, including anti-psychotic medication prescribed for schizophrenia.

The veteran's PTB has been inactive since 1947 and does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for metastasized squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx, claimed as resulting from ionizing radiation exposure during military service, is denied. The RO must request further information and evidence regarding the veteran's alleged exposure at March Air Force Base.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's skin disorder, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, determining that April 1, 1996 is the earliest effective date provided by law.

The veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 106, Title 10, United States Code, for periods of enrollment from August 26, 1991 to May 5, 1995 is denied as he did not satisfy the criteria for such benefits.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for post-traumatic-stress-disorder.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for actinic keratosis and basal cell epithelioma, which was previously denied. The veteran's current skin conditions are related to inservice sun exposure.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board notes that the criteria governing the evaluation of hearing impairment have changed, but these changes do not affect the outcome of this case.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service in the Armed Forces of the United States and therefore is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's liver disease is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant is not entitled to recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse for the purposes of reinstating VA death pension benefits due to her living with another person and holding herself out openly as that person's spouse.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiologic examination and referral to the VA's Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of overpayment of death pension benefits due to it being untimely filed, more than 180 days after notice was sent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the appellant's service-connected residuals of a back injury with degenerative changes and L4-L5 herniated nucleus pulposus, effective as of March 27, 1992.

The VA determined that the appellant, M., is not the last-named beneficiary of the veteran's NSLI policy and thus is not entitled to the proceeds.

The Board has dismissed the matter as it is not within its jurisdiction to decide eligibility for direct payment of a fee from past-due benefits.