Other conditions decisions — 2000

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-operative residuals of a perforated colon, finding that the evidence did not show moderate symptoms or occasional involuntary bowel movements requiring him to wear a pad.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral defective hearing as it was not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's enucleation of the left eye warrants a 50% rating, which is the maximum available under current regulations. The right eye vision is 20/20, preventing a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected fracture of the right foot was granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied the waiver of recovery of a VA portfolio loan indebtedness due to the appellant's actions constituting bad faith, including failure to notify or negotiate with the holder or VA regarding default and foreclosure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda and liver dysfunction secondary to herbicide exposure, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hepatitis. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's petition for waiver of recovery of a home loan guaranty indebtedness, finding that while he was not at fault in creating the debt, his failure to mitigate it would result in unjust enrichment. The case is remanded for further development.

The VA has assigned a 60 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis, effective September 10, 1997.

The Board denied increased ratings for Guillain-Barre Syndrome in April 1975 and August 1995, finding no clear and unmistakable error. The appellant's disability was rated at 20 percent since October 1973.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of multiple basal cell carcinomas as related to Agent Orange exposure, and denied an increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of a fractured left first metacarpal and assigned a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for spinal arthritis is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking current spinal arthritis to his period of active service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a bilateral foot drop disorder and thus, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and the payment of accrued benefits due to lack of evidence supporting a well-grounded claim.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for Crohn's disease and chronic gastrointestinal disability is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's intermittent bowel obstruction does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of partial obstruction or severe adhesions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's use of tobacco and nicotine addiction, which began in service, caused his fatal lung cancer and contributed to his death. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's varicose vein disability warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting its severity.

The veteran withdrew his appeal from the denial of reopening a claim for service connection for an eye disorder.