Other conditions decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the overpayment of improved death pension benefits from December 1, 1985 to October 31, 1992 was properly created and waived $5,825 out of a total debt of $10,794.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the spine with traumatic arthritis, cataracts of the right eye, and dental trauma are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his period of active duty in the Merchant Marine.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's thoracic spine disability, finding that his condition did not render him bedridden or require special accommodations.

The VA determined that the veteran's Raynaud's phenomenon does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of frequent vasomotor disturbances or characteristic daily attacks.

The Board found that the overpayment was properly created due to the veteran's failure to promptly notify VA of his divorce, which resulted in an overpayment from June 1993 to June 1995. The issue now is whether recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disability, characterized as anisometropia with subjective double vision, has not been demonstrated to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6090.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim that his discharge from service was not a bar for VA benefits, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for each of the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella disabilities, bilaterally. The effective date is not specified as it was an initial grant of service connection.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, which is considered as total disability due to his condition. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for elephantiasis, jungle rot (skin disorder), dengue fever, and duodenal ulcer are not well-grounded. The claim for increased evaluation of malaria is also denied as there is no evidence of recent recurrences or residual disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound of the left foot with osteomyelitis, finding that the current 40 percent evaluation is the highest possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's Crohn's disease with anemia, currently rated at 30 percent.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a compression fracture at T6, finding no evidence of current disability caused by an in-service injury.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's death occurred before the accrual of benefits, and no claim for accrued benefits was filed within one year of his death. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for eye and skin disabilities are not well grounded. The evidence does not show a current disability or a link between any such disability and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the hands and feet, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition claimed as bronchopneumonia is denied because there is no competent medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to his active duty.