Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's thoracic spine disability is not well-grounded and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury and bilateral shin splints, finding no current disability evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's Raynaud's disease and scleroderma to his treatment by VA, and thus denied the claim for disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current lung disorder to her service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's overpayment of improved death pension benefits should be waived due to her failure to report income, which resulted in an overpayment. The RO's Committee on Waivers granted a partial waiver of recovery for $14,862 and denied the remaining $1,650.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of both hips may be service connected due to his period of service, including his POW experience. However, an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and colon cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied because there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's neuropsychological signs and symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, a depressed mood, and irritability, are attributed to service-connected dysthymic disorder and panic disorder. The cardiovascular signs or symptoms, including chest pain, are attributed to mitral valve prolapse diagnosed post-service. The veteran's skin blotches are related to her service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's low back syndrome is rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on current disability criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound due to his service-connected multiple myeloma. The evidence does not show that he is blind, nearly blind, a patient in a nursing home, or unable to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5 and assigned a 20 percent disability rating. However, the evidence shows an increase in severity of symptoms such as to warrant a higher 40 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's traumatic nasal septum deformity with mild obstruction.

The veteran's basal cell carcinoma is found to be related to his military service, specifically the prolonged sun exposure during his time as a prisoner of war (POW). The Board concludes that this condition can be causally linked to his service and grants service connection for basal cell carcinoma.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right hip disability, which includes a status post fracture of the right hip with degenerative arthritis, is no more than moderately disabling and does not warrant an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was well-grounded and granted service connection for residuals of an upper back and neck injury, including a herniated disc at C5-C6. The issue remains pending as further clinical development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for pleurisy and residuals of left spontaneous pneumothorax is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected nephrolithiasis could have provided the etiological factor in the development of his ESRD, leading to a right kidney transplant. Therefore, service connection is granted for chronic glomerulonephritis, status post right kidney transplant.

The Board found the veteran's claim for service connection a skin disorder, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, not well-grounded and denied it.