Other conditions decisions — 2000

The VA denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital from February 12 to February 14, 1996.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected psychiatric disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's cold injury residuals are not manifested by persistent moderate swelling, tenderness, or redness. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating and denies the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's chest pain due to MVP was not well grounded and denied her claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, but finds that it is not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a causal link between his current condition and his period of military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for thrombophlebitis and Buerger's Disease, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or nicotine dependence.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia, status post-repair, with Barrett's esophagus is denied as there is no showing of severe impairment of health that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied because there is no evidence of an ascertainable increase in his disabilities sufficient to establish a total disability rating prior to April 26, 1996.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for residuals of malaria since June 1996, as there is no evidence of active malaria or significant residual effects.

The Board has determined that the appellant's HIV-related illness is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or connection to his current condition.

The Board found that the claim for service connection for the cause of death is not well grounded and denied both the cause of death claim and the DEA allowance claim.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for partial paralysis of the left upper extremity, finding that the veteran's condition did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent from May 18, 1993 to November 2, 1995 and granted a 30 percent evaluation effective November 3, 1995.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's varicose veins of the right leg is not warranted based on current evidence.

The veteran's death was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition, including exposure to ionizing radiation. His fatal Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia could not be presumed as a result of such exposure.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left thigh, effective from September 19, 1989. The veteran's condition is characterized by intermittent pain in the left thigh area that does not significantly impair his ability to perform daily activities or work.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a hernia disability and found it well grounded. The claim of service connection for a right leg cyst is not well grounded.

The Board found that the claim for service connection for emphysema due to inservice tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence is not well-grounded because there was no competent evidence of a current disability, linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including amblyopia and anopsia of the right eye, fungal infection (onychomycosis) of the hands and feet, and a stomach disorder. The decision also addressed other issues such as tinnitus, vertigo, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and bronchitis.

The Board determined that the veteran's injuries in a May 1994 motor vehicle accident were due to his own willful misconduct, and thus not compensable under VA regulations.