Other conditions decisions — 2000

The VA denied service connection for prostatitis due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and an increased disability rating for PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence linking current disabilities to the inservice head injury.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for post-operative ventral hernia, finding that the current evaluation of 40 percent is appropriate given the severity and operability of the appellant's condition.

The veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses from October 25, 1996 to November 12, 1996 were denied because the services were not previously authorized by VA and he chose to receive care at a private hospital in preference to VA facilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for varicose veins, a nervous disorder, a stomach disorder, bilateral hernia repair, and diabetes mellitus. The RO did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for blood poisoning and fever.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has granted the appellant's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits in the amount of $10,267.00 due to fault on both the part of the appellant and the VA, undue hardship caused by the debt, and unjust enrichment.

The Board found no evidence of current residuals from a left femur fracture and concluded that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded.

The Board has decided that the appellant's expenses for her husband's last illness could not be used to reduce her countable income for VA improved death pension benefits, as there was insufficient evidence of payment prior to date of entitlement.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and to reopen his claim for service connection for epididymitis, finding no medical nexus between current symptoms and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dermatophytosis of the hands and feet warrants a 30 percent evaluation, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran.

The Board has granted a total rating for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary disease secondary to asbestos exposure, effective from August 23, 1995.

The veteran is appealing the initial noncompensable rating assigned for his left thumb injury. The RO must consider whether a higher rating is warranted and if so, assign staged ratings as appropriate.

The Board found the claim not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board has denied the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral defective hearing as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has ordered the RO to schedule the appellant for orthopedic and neurologic examinations, identify all current impairment, including any loss of motion, painful motion, weakened movement, excess fatigability, and incoordination. The RO is also instructed to consider whether a separate disability rating for any related neurological disability or for 'ischial bursitis' is warranted.

The case is being remanded for further development regarding the veteran's reported income and to investigate any additional earned income by the veteran while working sporadically since 1994 and from his present spouse.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left thigh did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent and that his back pain syndrome was not manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with little intermittent relief or unfavorable ankylosis.