Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's request for a personal hearing before the RO has been granted. The case is being remanded to allow the veteran to submit additional evidence and argument, and then be scheduled for a personal hearing.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral pterygium due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The underlying merits will be considered based on whether the pre-existing condition was aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, § 1151 for nerve injury to the right leg as a result of hospital, medical and surgical treatment in 1955 by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected myelofibrosis warrants a 100 percent initial rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The veteran developed postmastectomy syndrome following a right modified radical mastectomy at a VA hospital, which is not considered a certain or intended consequence of the surgery. The Board has decided in favor of the appellant and granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and a left femur disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service injury or disease. The diagnoses were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding new and material evidence. The case is now remanded to determine if the reopened claim is well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension due to the need of regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded for additional development, including obtaining all pertinent medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a vaginal cyst is well-grounded. The VA examination and medical records indicate that the current condition may be related to an in-service treatment, but further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for poor balance and eye disorder (serpiginous choroidopathy) are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of either condition, nor is there any clinical evidence linking these conditions to service or events therein.

The Board has granted service connection for left arm and hand disorders secondary to a SFW of the left distal biceps, but denied an increased evaluation for the SFW itself. The veteran's SFW is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her sacroiliac displacement (scoliosis) disorder is denied as there is no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The veteran's service-connected ASCUS disorder was withdrawn by the veteran during her hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death is due to his terminal cancer, which they believe may be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claim will proceed with further medical evaluation and determination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the waiver of the debt, thus the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for refractive error of the eyes, claimed as defective vision, is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board granted service connection for callosities of both feet with a 10 percent disability rating effective from August 15, 1997. The veteran also received an earlier effective date for the allowance of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremity do not warrant an increased rating, as they are currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for extraction of teeth as a compensable disability and for noncompensable dental disability for outpatient treatment purposes. The former claim was based on periodontal disease, while the latter was not addressed.