Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis due to cold exposure is well-grounded, but his claim for service connection for a cardiac disorder due to cold exposure is not well-grounded. The appeal is allowed in part.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits due to a lack of verified service, finding that the appellant had no recognized military service with the United States Armed Forces.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition, including temporomandibular joint disability, finding that there was no evidence of service trauma or a causal relationship between any current dental condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for eligibility for prisoner of war (POW) status, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for dysthymia and residuals of a thoracic spine injury, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings. The appeal was also referred to address service connection for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for defective hearing in his right ear and granted service connection based on aggravation of a preexisting condition during military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition for VA outpatient dental treatment purposes is well grounded and grants this specific issue.

The Board found that the March 1985 reduction in disability evaluation from 30 to 10 percent for ulcerative colitis with anal fistula was not clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 29, 1993, for service connection of polycythemia vera was denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 29, 1993.

The veteran's multiple joint arthritis is found to be related to cold exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the adjudication of the claim on appeal, including obtaining a complete copy of Dr. McArthur's psychological assessment report and verifying the veteran's employment information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chemical injury to her right eye does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there is no evidence of impairment in visual acuity or field loss. The veteran's current vision with bifocals is at normal level.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right little finger and hand disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of cranioplasty and organic brain syndrome, as well as his claim for service connection for a right-sided cerebrovascular accident. The decision also noted that the veteran's skull defect was rated at its maximum under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ear infections, mastoidectomies, otosclerosis, and cysts is not well grounded.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the appeal process.

The Board found that the veteran's condition did not constitute a medical emergency warranting immediate treatment, and thus denied his claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical treatment.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus condition and a disorder manifested by speech impairment, as well as for teeth numbers 7 and 9. The claim for service connection of the veteran's current problem with tooth number 10 was not considered since it first appeared after service. Service connection was granted for other conditions but with no effective date provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations are well-grounded and have satisfied the duty to assist. The veteran is entitled to a compensable evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus, but not for an increased rating for his skin rash or hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hyperreflexic detrusor of the bladder secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, but he is still seeking a higher rating for this condition.