Other conditions decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for TMJ articulation disorder, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for progesterone deficiency was denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a post-operative left inguinal hernia, finding that the current evaluation adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of the excision of an osteophyte from the left fourth toe and residuals of an injury of the right big toe and excision of an osteophyte from the right fourth toe.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) found that the June 22, 1945 rating decision denying service connection for a bilateral eye disability was not the product of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected somatoform disorder and conversion disorder, finding that his occupational and social impairment was primarily due to nonservice-connected dementia.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to pancreatic cancer, finding that there was no new and material evidence submitted. The veteran's pancreatic cancer is not presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the issue of entitlement to service connection for dysthymic disorder can be decided on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shell fragment wound to the left arm and gunshot wound to the right leg, finding that the current evaluations of 20% were appropriate based on static disability levels since 1971.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 6, 1998, for the grant of service connection for multiple myeloma secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is therefore reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left thumb injury or entitlement to an increased evaluation for lower urinary tract syndrome with symptoms of outlet obstruction and epididymal and scrotal pain. The current evaluations are deemed appropriate.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the residuals of an injury to the right Achilles tendon and granted it based on evidence showing that the condition had its onset in service.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected duodenal ulcer, status post partial gastrectomy. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's skin rash to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has vacated the previous denial of service connection for residuals of meningitis and remanded the case to allow further development, including obtaining medical records from VA and non-VA providers.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional improved death pension benefits for 1995 based on unreimbursed medical expenses, finding that the expenses were not timely submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current visual disorder, described as diplopia. The evidence shows subjective complaints of diplopia during service but no objective evidence of this condition at any time.

The Board has found that the veteran had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a nervous disorder. The case is being remanded for further development of records.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability effective March 7, 2000. The previous ratings were found to be appropriate.