Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an automobile allowance is denied as there is no evidence of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes.

The veteran's cause of death was cancer of the lung with metastasis, which developed 1 year prior to his death. The appellant has not presented a well-grounded claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and lacks legal entitlement under the law for Dependent's Educational Assistance.

The Board has found that there is medical evidence relating current lung disability to inservice inhalation of exfoliant during active duty in Vietnam, which could be related to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection is well-grounded and further development is needed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification of the service connection theory.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, but denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of wounds to his left leg, arm, and side of body. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for a blood disorder as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation is moot.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinion to clarify whether the veteran's diverticular disease was aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 13, 1996, for a combined 100 percent rating for service-connected erythema multiforme was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased to a compensable degree within the year preceding June 13, 1996.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for myocardial infarction and increased ratings for thrombophlebitis of both legs, as well as his claim for TDIU. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.

The June 1, 1992 rating decision denied service connection for macular degeneration of the right eye with loss of vision. The veteran's claim was not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to a service-connected condition or an incident therein.

The veteran died from a metastatic non-small carcinoma of the lung. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any presumptive exposure. The appellant's eligibility for Survivors'/Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, is also denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for varicose veins of the left leg was adjudicated. The initial rating prior to January 12, 1998, was denied. From January 12 to August 13, 1998, a 40 percent rating was granted. Since August 13, 1998, no further increase in rating has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome. The evidence did not support higher ratings or a finding of individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon, as well as his claim for dental injury due to service trauma. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for macular degeneration of the left eye and bilateral cataracts, finding that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran's otosclerosis with impaired hearing and post stapedectomy was granted a 10% evaluation, effective August 28, 1997. Attorney fees are eligible for payment based on the past due benefits awarded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's TMJ dysfunction, currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence and diagnostic criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran had testamentary capacity at the time he designated his former wife as the beneficiary of his NSLI policy, and thus her designation is valid.