Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for service connection for lymphoma as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his military service and potential radiation exposure.

The veteran's unauthorized private hospitalization for atypical chest pain was denied as he did not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's diagnosed right pulmonary lower lobe granuloma and service, thus denying his claim for service connection. The skin disorder was also denied as it preexisted military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for bilateral varicose veins prior to January 12, 1998. The ratings for the left and right legs are both 20 percent as of January 12, 1998.

The Board has determined that a Travel Board hearing is necessary and the case is being remanded to schedule this hearing.

The medical, legal, and other expenses associated with the veteran's final illness are to be excluded from the appellant's countable income for purposes of determining her entitlement to payment of VA improved death pension benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting kyphoscoliosis did not undergo an increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted waiver of recovery of the overpayment of death pension benefits in the amount of $3,591 due to the appellant's failure to report income from lottery winnings and interest payments.

The veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate was granted service connection effective May 28, 1998, and an initial rating of 100% is assigned.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to January 12, 1994, for a 100 percent rating for the veteran's psychophysiological disorder is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury is well-grounded and grants the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no direct evidence linking the service-connected condition to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and industrial capacities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for her service-connected right ear otitis externa, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound to the left posterior chest, finding that the condition resulted only in a tender scar without additional functional loss.

The veteran's right knee disability was initially evaluated at 10 percent from February 9, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and on and after August 1, 1996. From July 21, 1999, the evaluation increased to 40 percent due to persistent symptoms including flare-ups of pain, incoordination, atrophy, weakness, fatigue, etc.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, claiming it was due to exposure to Agent Orange or nicotine dependence acquired in service. The claim for hepatitis was also denied as new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left thigh disorder with deep vein thrombosis was not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence showing any permanent increase in severity of his preexisting residuals of a gunshot wound to the left groin during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected nasolacrimal duct obstruction, right eye.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $825 in apportionment of VA disability compensation benefits due to her failure to file a timely request.