Other conditions decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome disability is manifested by slight right and left knee impairment, with subjective complaints of left and right knee pain. The RO has granted a 10 percent evaluation for each knee.

The veteran's compensation benefits are not sufficient to allow for apportionment of more than 50% due to the low amount, and less than 20% would not provide a reasonable amount for any apportionee.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination and additional development of his service-connected disabilities, including any potential claims for service connection. The RO must also obtain information about SSA disability benefits if applicable.

The Board determined that the initial ratings assigned for the veteran's hip and chest conditions were proper, with no need to grant higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left middle finger disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other significant functional impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted it on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA vocational rehabilitation training subsistence allowance in the amount of $278.14, finding that the overpayment was properly created and that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his pilonidal cyst, finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for recurrent perirectal abscesses and determined that the effective date for VA pension benefits should not be earlier than August 28, 1991.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits in the amount of $13,406.00 due to her misrepresentation of a material fact.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for post-operative neurogenic-type pain, dorsum of the nose has been granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services rendered in a private hospitalization is denied because he did not meet the legal criteria for authorization and there was no service-connected condition involved.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to metastatic carcinoma of the stomach and carcinoma of the esophagus, which were not present in service or for many years thereafter. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to an incident of service, including any exposure to Agent Orange.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm, with damage to Muscle Group V, do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The VA denied an increased rating for the appellant's service-connected residuals of right rib injuries, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy, as they do not warrant a higher than currently assigned 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prolapse of the fourth finger of his right hand and an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the same hand. The issues were related to whether the current conditions are related to incidents in service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to a need for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The veteran's claim is also related to PTSD which must be adjudicated by the RO.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left calcaneal spur with associated Achilles tenosynovitis and duodenal ulcer disease, effective from July 8, 1977, and September 2, 1977 respectively. The veteran's original claims were denied in March 1978 due to incomplete service medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right arm disability is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.