Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's panic disorder with psychophysiological cardiovascular reaction has been rated at 50 percent since June 14, 1991.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral otitis media is manifested by frequent episodes of suppuration, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of the cost of private ambulance service to a VA medical center on March 14, 1998 was denied because his income exceeded the maximum annual rate of pension which would be payable if he were eligible for pension.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's right tibial fracture, effective from the date of claim.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected right little finger disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant an extraschedular evaluation and that the current noncompensable rating was appropriate.

The VA denied a request for an increased disability rating for the veteran's shell fragment wound to muscle group XIII of the right posterior thigh, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied increased evaluations for shell fragment wounds of the right forearm and left testicle and scrotum with retained foreign bodies, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board awarded a 100 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's cold injury residuals effective January 12, 2000. The veteran also had his earlier effective date for service connection granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for skin disability due to exposure to Agent Orange is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a waiver of recovery of his VA loan guaranty indebtedness in the amount of $20,264.66, plus accrued interest.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, diagnosed as slipped femoral epiphysis, is not well grounded due to lack of competent evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence supporting a relationship between the veteran's death and his military service.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been submitted to warrant reopening the September 1976 forfeiture decision, which remains final.

The Board found that the appellant did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for left leg and right arm disorders, as no medical evidence presented since the July 1960 rating decision bears directly on the issue of a chronic condition during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gallbladder disease had its onset in service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the current record is inadequate for rating purposes due to insufficient information regarding the degree of visual field loss in the veteran's right eye. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA ophthalmology examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his terminal disease to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder and anorexia. The Board finds that there is continuity of symptomatology from her service period, including treatment for depression and suicidal behavior shortly after separation, which supports a finding of service connection.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right hand, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left groin and hip disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, reflecting moderately severe impairment of Muscle Group XVIII.