Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board found the veteran's claim plausible and well-grounded, but denied service connection for post-traumatic-stress-disorder due to insufficient evidence of verified stressors in service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, effective from July 1997.

The veteran's disability from residuals of fracture of the L1 has been rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating assignable under Diagnostic Code 5285 for severe limitation of motion due to fracture vertebra. The criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome have not been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the left leg, residuals of a right hand injury, and pulmonary disorder are denied as his preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board denied compensation benefits for surgical disarticulation of the left hip under section 31 (VA medical malpractice) in December 7, 1951. The veteran argues that this decision was erroneous due to misdiagnosis and improper treatment.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the VA did not find reimbursement for monies recouped from his disability compensation payments for the costs of computer equipment warranted.

The Board has determined that a current psychiatric disorder, specifically an adjustment disorder, had its onset in service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating. The veteran's claims of service connection for skin rash, cysts, and respiratory problems due to exposure to Agent Orange are also granted.

The Board found that the overpayment of DIC benefits was due to administrative error and granted a waiver, as recovery would not create undue financial hardship.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's Disease, claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation during service, was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have any evidence linking his current diagnosis of Hodgkin's Disease to his alleged in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's private hospitalization from February 10, 1995 to February 14, 1995 was authorized by the VA and he is entitled to payment or reimbursement for the expenses incurred due to the medical emergency conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder and residuals of a fracture to the right lower extremity, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim.

The Board held that the serviceman's death in October 1991 was not incurred in the line of duty due to his intentional inhalation of butane, which resulted from willful misconduct. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to DIC.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to a lack of valid active duty service.

The Board found no evidence connecting the veteran's current cardiovascular diagnosis to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis, involving his feet and groin area, is productive of persistent burning sensation, pruritus, toenail dystrophy, scaling of the skin, and hyperpigmentation. The Board has determined that a 10 percent rating for this condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's HIV-related illness with chronic dysthymia is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6351-9433. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peptic ulcer disease was received on October 29, 1993. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at October 29, 1993, as it is the earliest date that may be assigned due to the one-year waiting period after discharge from service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection of malaria was well-grounded, but denied it based on lack of current disability and contradictory testimony regarding when his last attack occurred.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected amnestic disorder was denied. The RO granted initial service connection but did not grant the requested higher rating.