Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet with multiple calluses is manifested by crusting, which warrants a 50% evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of surgery to repair the left anterior cruciate ligament, finding that the disability is manifested by painful limitation of motion and slight subluxation and instability.

The veteran's attorney has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of whether VA can pay attorney fees resulting from a July 1999 rating decision where all past-due benefits have already been paid.

The Board has granted an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of avulsion, nail and touchpad of left middle finger. The claim for a higher initial evaluation for the service-connected fractured nose remains denied.

The veteran is granted compensation for additional disability, including paresis of the left fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth cranial nerves, as well as ischemic changes on the left middle cerebellar peduncle and encephalomalacia of the left superior cerebellar hemisphere, due to VA medical treatment in April 1995.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder was denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 1999 without providing good cause.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the residuals of a left hernioplasty did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, while his chilblains disabilities were rated appropriately under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's liver disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand muscle injury, finding that the current severity of the condition does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation benefits was denied because it was not filed within the 180-day time limit set by VA regulations.

The veteran's VA benefits were denied for apportionment on behalf of his dependent children due to the fact that he was reasonably discharging his responsibility for their support, and there was no undue hardship shown.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current stomach disorder to his active service. The claim is therefore denied.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a liver disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional records from the Bay Pines VA Medical Center.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous disorder, keratosis of the scalp, and unspecified disabilities as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation are denied because there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the case as it lacks jurisdiction to review a direct-payment contingency fee agreement.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability rating for carcinoma of the supraglottis from 100% to 80%, effective March 1, 2000. The medical evidence did not show improvement in the condition and the reduction was not based on a thorough examination.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of a right middle and lower lobectomy, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for paresthesia and weakness of the right hand and forearm as secondary to his service-connected status post coronary artery bypass graft is well-grounded. The RO should conduct further development, including scheduling a VA examination, before deciding the case.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a left elbow injury and denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The veteran's claim was not well-grounded, and there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of a skull fracture and back injury are denied as they do not meet the criteria to be well-grounded.