Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the United States Armed Forces.

The VA denied the claim because there was no qualifying military service for the appellant's spouse, leading to a denial of benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for payment of DIC benefits, ruling that the earliest possible effective date is March 14, 1995, but no earlier than April 1, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for right inguinal hernia, transient situational disturbance (including mental stress), and stomach disorder (to include gastritis) are not well grounded. The VA examinations did not support a finding of chronic conditions during service or any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability secondary to Agent Orange exposure as not well-grounded, due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to active service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation benefits at the higher level of care was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his need for personal health-care services provided by a licensed healthcare provider.

The Board has granted an increased rating for pelvic inflammatory disease to 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's status post hysterectomy remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that none of the veteran's conditions were incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied all claims for service connection. The cause of death was attributed to pulmonary fibrosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy, which are not considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic dental disorder shown as gingivitis and for a higher rating for a left foot disability due to new regulations regarding dental conditions and incomplete development.

The veteran's unauthorized private inpatient hospitalization from February 16, 1998, through March 13, 1998 was denied as the admission did not meet the criteria for reimbursement due to lack of prior authorization and no medical emergency existed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for both service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of competent evidence linking the vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infection to his service-connected right knee replacement.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied by the RO. The case is being returned to the Board for further development.

The veteran's service-connected ITP has not resulted in a stable platelet count below 100,000. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hand disorder is secondary to his service-connected left-hand disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for nicotine addiction and a disability manifested by swelling in the throat, coughing, getting tired easily, and difficulty breathing were not well grounded. The evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right eye blindness is denied as not well grounded due to the lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to VA hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment.

The veteran's appeal was denied for an original evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a separation of the right acromioclavicular joint. Service connection and evaluations were granted for tinnitus (10%) and diverticulosis (noncompensable).

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sexual dysfunction is related to impotence he experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for impotence.

The veteran died of squamous cell carcinoma. The Board found no evidence linking the cancer to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied as not well grounded. Additionally, the appellant did not meet the requirements for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his hip and back conditions have been granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned to each hip condition and a noncompensable evaluation for the thoracic spine strain and lumbosacral strain.