Other conditions decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected coccidioidomycosis is currently asymptomatic and does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding no objective evidence of arthritis during or after service and concluding that there is no basis to presume its occurrence. The veteran's lay statements were not supported by objective medical evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral impaired hearing does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating from the effective date of service connection to the present.

The Board has denied service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot with degenerative joint disease, but granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip. The veteran's right hip condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for onychomycosis of the toenails and residuals of a fractured jaw, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for restoration of DIC benefits as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband, finding that she is not entitled to such benefits due to remarriage and lack of legal termination prior to November 1, 1990.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, finding that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any incident of service other than his use of tobacco products. The decision also noted that the VCAA notification requirements have been satisfied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for amblyopia of the left eye due to new and material evidence. However, it was denied as there is no evidence that the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 1946 RO decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected colon adenocarcinoma treated with resection and closed colostomy was denied by the RO. The case is now remanded to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disability, finding that it is related to radiation exposure during his military service. The case was remanded due to changes in VA regulations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Memorial Hospital in Ormond Beach and Daytona Ophthalmic Services between June 25, 1998 and September 28, 1998. The appeal is remanded to complete necessary development.

The Board granted a waiver of recovery for $10,000 of the veteran's loan guaranty indebtedness, with accrued interest applied to the remaining amount.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chest and spinal injuries, as well as a concussion. The case is being remanded back to the RO for further review considering all information associated with the claims folder subsequent to the October 1999 supplemental statement of the case.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a residual disability proximately due to or the result of treatment at the VAMC in November 1994.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right little finger disability, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD was not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for vision loss, which was previously denied in July 1966. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney, finding that no evidence supports a finding of radiation exposure in service. The Board also found no basis to grant service connection for pigmented nevi with dysplastic changes due to ionizing radiation exposure.