Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board denied both the claim for service connection for left eye disabilities and the request for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a traumatic cataract in the right eye. The veteran's current visual acuity is normal in his non-service-connected left eye, which prevents him from receiving a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and nose disorder are not well grounded. The claim for increased rating for left hydrocele with orchialgia is also not established.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carcinoma of the tongue and floor of mouth, finding no competent evidence linking his cancer to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for status post myocardial infarction as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current heart disability to a disease or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left thumb disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The veteran's medical records do not show ankylosis, and his current range of motion is adequate.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits due to a prior legal marriage between the veteran and his legal spouse, M.

The Board has determined that the veteran's actions did not constitute bad faith, fraud or misrepresentation. Therefore, waiver of recovery of the loan guaranty indebtedness is granted.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's pelvic and coccyx disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not well grounded and denied it.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed as he has withdrawn his substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total rating pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for periods of convalescence following hospitalizations in December 1992 and February 1995, finding that the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the date of receipt of his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema due to tobacco use in service is denied as the law prohibits such claims after June 9, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability and denied the claim for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for myositis ossificans of the right thigh was denied by the Board, with a final rating decision increasing the evaluation to 10 percent in June 1999. The condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) found that the veteran's porphyria cutanea tarda did not have its onset in service, was not related to any events of service including Agent Orange exposure, and did not manifest within a year after service. The claim is therefore denied.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's fungus infection of both feet, effective May 19, 1994. The condition is currently manifested by web space maceration and complaints of chronic scaling, pruritus, and vesiculation involving the soles of the feet.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits due to a lack of valid military service, as verified by the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center.

The appellant's spouse did not have recognized active military service for purposes of eligibility for VA benefits, and therefore the appeal is denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking current prostatitis or benign prostatic hypertrophy to the veteran's service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left foot disorder case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the colon as new and material evidence was not submitted.