Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board found that the appellant's actions, including abandoning the house and failing to notify VA or the mortgagor of his new address, constituted bad faith. As a result, the debt was deemed precluded due to the appellant's conduct.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease either directly or on a secondary basis, finding that it was not caused by his service-connected genitourinary disorder and that there was no aggravation of his cardiovascular condition due to his right testicular atrophy.

The Board granted increased evaluations for the service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left scapula and left calf, and found that the veteran's recurrent headaches are due to a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the case as it does not have original jurisdiction to decide the issue of attorney fees under direct-payment contingency-fee agreements.

The Board found that the veteran's overpayment of improved pension benefits was properly created due to his failure to report his and his spouse's Social Security income. The Board also determined that he acted in bad faith, thus precluding a waiver of recovery.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is not well-grounded because there is no current medical evidence showing a diagnosed disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral retinal degeneration of the left eye due to a lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol and triglycerides as there is no recognized disability for which compensation can be paid.

The veteran's service-connected respiratory disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show residuals of a fractured vertebra, intervertebral disc syndrome, or marked interference with employment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a T4 fracture and left hand fractures, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for elevated cholesterol and an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, finding that new evidence did not support reopening of the former claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot deformity and an increased rating for residuals of fractured right malleolus, finding no evidence of a chronic disability or etiology related to his service-connected ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, body joint and ribcage pain, and a genitourinary disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present in service or related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The veteran's service-connected urethral stricture is shown to have been productive of obstructed voiding with urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization, warranting a 30% rating.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disability, but denied the claim as not well grounded. The decision is mixed (some issues granted, some not).

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Muskogee Regional Medical Center from October 19, 1998 through October 27, 1998 is granted. The case was remanded to allow for additional development and consideration.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of recognized service in the United States Armed Forces.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is denied because he did not have the requisite qualifying active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and a skin disorder, both claimed as resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.