Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's empyema, a service-connected condition, is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for the thoracotomy scar, right axilla, is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's shortening of the left lower extremity was incurred during his active military service and is granted service connection.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds to his right buttock and right arm, both currently rated at 20%.

The Board finds that the veteran's current neurological disorder is not related to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease and thus, does not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatic carcinoma, which caused his death, was of service origin and grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's active duty service does not qualify him for educational assistance under Chapter 30 due to his commission as an officer in the United States Air Force Academy after December 31, 1976.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for skin disability of the feet, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's death was service-connected. However, the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 due to her age at the time of her father's death.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of post-operative heart surgery was denied, and his special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a skin disability of the groin, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of dependency and indemnity compensation benefits (DIC) in the amount of $338.80, finding that it would not be against the principles of equity and good conscience to require repayment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disorder and an increased rating for his left eye disability, finding that there is no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current endometriosis to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected phlebitis of the left arm with pulmonary embolus, finding that there was no evidence of persistent swelling or other symptoms warranting a higher rating. The combined evaluation of the veteran's service-connected disabilities remains at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's deep venous insufficiency of the left leg was incurred in service and is not secondary to his service-connected Sjogren's syndrome. The claim for an increased evaluation for Sjogren's syndrome remains unresolved, with the current rating of 60% being maintained.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional DIC benefits on the basis of an adopted dependent grandchild, finding that her granddaughter was not living in the veteran's household at the time of his death and did not meet the criteria to be considered a child for DIC purposes.

The Board found that the cause of death was metastatic adenocarcinoma, but did not find service connection for the bronchiectasis as a contributing factor. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability claim is denied.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual limit for a surviving spouse with one dependent, thus denying her entitlement to VA improved death pension benefits.

The veteran's death was service-connected. However, the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 because she exceeded her eligibility period at age 26.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the face and eyes is denied as not well grounded.