Other conditions decisions — 2001

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum applicable income limit for improved disability pension benefits, leading to a denial of his claim.

The veteran's ptosis of the right eye, aggravated by surgery with limitation of visual field and history of corneal ulcers, is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's bimalleolar fracture and transverse fracture right distal tibia are currently rated at 20 percent disabling, with no evidence of a limp or significant functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder. The RO will now conduct further development and review the reopened claim based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tendonitis of the upper extremities and stress fractures (shin splints) of the lower extremities, finding no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ankylosing spondylitis pre-existed his active service and was aggravated by it. The condition substantially contributed to the cause of death, which was respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by her husband during his hospitalization at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center due to a ruptured aneurysm. The denial was based on the fact that the veteran had not been treated for a service-connected disability during the period in question.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a back injury due to new and material evidence submitted since the June 1976 decision. The issue is now on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's request to waive an overpayment of disability pension benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the valid beneficiary of the veteran's National Service Life Insurance policy, and thus entitled to its proceeds.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a right upper thigh gunshot wound, muscle group XV. The claim for higher ratings for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for burns of the face and eyes, as there is no competent evidence indicating these injuries were related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a waiver of overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $84,075.61 due to his failure to disclose his incarceration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities have been appropriately rated, with no need for further adjustment of ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia and assigned an initial noncompensable evaluation (10%). The evidence shows the veteran had multiple surgeries related to his hernia, but no recent clinical evidence of recurrence. He is currently asymptomatic.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right great toe do not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis and residuals of a left leg injury as there was no evidence of such conditions during or after military service. The appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements for non-service-connected pension benefits due to lack of active duty service.

The VA has denied an increased rating for generalized furunculosis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.