Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran died from a non-service-connected cause while not hospitalized by VA, thus denying entitlement to nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for colds, upper respiratory disorders, sinus infections, and nasal polyps. The claim for PTSD was also considered but no new rating was granted.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's spondylolisthesis L4-L5, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code due to lack of eligibility and failure to file a timely request for extension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right ear disorder. The claim is well grounded, meaning there is enough evidence to warrant further consideration.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 10% disability ratings for service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees and denied increased rating claims.

The veteran's apportionment of benefits was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased apportionment due to financial hardship.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral keratoconus, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating than the current 30 percent.

The veteran's left knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and his right hand conditions are rated as 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity meet the criteria for a total (100 percent) rating under the new version of Diagnostic Code 7120, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claim for VA outpatient dental treatment was denied as his claim is not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for cancer of the right breast due to exposure to herbicide agents, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's burn scars on his thighs were not incurred or aggravated by military service and denied the claim.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's left ring finger disability and found that he is entitled to a compensable evaluation (10%) for his residuals of bladder carcinoma.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for laryngeal cancer with laryngectomy due to tobacco use in service and/or nicotine dependence acquired in service is not well-grounded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current low back disorder to service or any incident thereof.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.