Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is about the validity of a loan guaranty indebtedness and his entitlement to waiver of recovery. The case must be remanded for further development, including adjudicating the debt's validity and allowing the veteran an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's net worth is such that some part of her estate should be consumed for her maintenance, and thus denied improved disability pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 20, 1998 for a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of a contusion and laceration of the right foot is denied.

The RO denied reopening the veteran's claims for gastrointestinal and eye disabilities, but granted a compensable rating for his forehead scar.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as the surviving spouse of the veteran, finding that there was no valid marriage and thus no entitlement to VA death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiac disorder, diagnosed as sick sinus node syndrome with Wenckebach second degree AV block and pacemaker implant, was incurred during his period of active service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board found that the HIV infection was not incurred during active service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, depressed type, was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran has a well-grounded claim for service connection for arthritis of the left thumb, claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a puncture wound. However, there is no competent evidence showing he currently has a skin disorder due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of adenoid cystic carcinoma, left parotid gland are currently rated at 20 percent. The case was remanded for further development including a VA examination to evaluate the orthopedic and neurological nature and severity of the residual disability. The examiner noted no palpable lymph nodes or abnormalities in the left parotid or submandibular glands, but did note intermittent muscle spasms and otitis externa.

The Board found that the veteran's current pulmonary disability, including emphysema, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post gastrectomy with reflux esophagitis warrants a rating of 40 percent, but not higher. The claim for increased evaluation is denied.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fragment wound to the left leg and malaria, effective from the date of the July 1993 rating decision.

The veteran's request for reimbursement or payment of private hospitalization and medical services is being remanded due to his desire for a hearing at a local VA office.

The appellant was denied entitlement to improved death pension benefits due to excess income as of February 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for duodenal ulcer on a non-radiation basis. The claim for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation, including 'radiation sickness' and Crohn's disease, is not well-grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for duodenal ulcer on a non-radiation basis. The claim for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation, including 'radiation sickness' and Crohn's disease, is not well-grounded.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, respiratory disorder, bladder and prostate disabilities, and soft tissue sarcoma, all secondary to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of competent evidence linking his gastrointestinal disorder and skin disorder to active service. The claim for PTSD was found well grounded.