Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a back injury with spinal stenosis, finding that it more nearly approximates moderate impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of loan guaranty indebtedness due to it being untimely filed, as he did not file his request within one year after receiving notice of the debt.

The Board found that the veteran did not suffer additional disability as a result of VA surgical treatment in August 1990, and thus denied compensation for residuals of postoperative right inguinal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's current blindness is not related to service, as there are no service medical records and his eye problems were first noted after discharge. The Board concluded that the veteran's blindness was due to sickle cell trait, which he had since 1966.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disease as not well grounded, due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes a medial meniscectomy, post-medial corner repair, and pes anserinus transfer, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 40 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to a lack of exercise, but it remains not well grounded. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also not well grounded.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a review of new and material evidence regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for head and back disabilities as residuals of an inservice injury. The appellant must submit additional evidence and argument, and if necessary, the RO should furnish them with a supplemental statement of the case.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rectal injury residuals are more disabling than a noncompensable evaluation, and thus grants a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses associated with his hospitalization at University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by Agent Orange exposure and did not meet the criteria for direct service connection. The claim for PTSD is denied as well.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of his VA loan guaranty indebtedness, finding that he was at fault in creating the debt and that collection would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board found that the veteran's injuries in October 1983 were caused by his own willful misconduct, concluding he was not insane at the time of the incident.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for spinal meningitis because he did not have active service when the illness occurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his personality disorder is a congenital or developmental defect and not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board also found that no acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's current Peyronie's disease and impotence and service or to a service-connected disorder, including residuals of a prostate resection. Therefore, the claim for service connection for Peyronie's disease and impotence is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected left knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation, as they are currently rated at 10 percent for postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament repair and 10 percent for traumatic arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for urinary tract infections with associated stress incontinence will be reviewed again after obtaining all available treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient data regarding the severity and extent of the veteran's service-connected left varicocele. The RO is instructed to schedule a VA urology examination, consider all potentially applicable diagnostic codes in rating the veteran, and determine whether special monthly compensation should be awarded for loss of use of a creative organ.