Other conditions decisions — 2001

The veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of pension benefits was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for defective vision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet as there are no current residuals and the evidence does not support a link to his active military duty.

The veteran died of a cerebral vascular accident. The cause of death is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for otitis media in the right ear due to a final rating decision from October 21, 1952. The appeal was based on whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim.

The VA reduced the appellant's death pension benefits from October 1, 1998 due to her dual entitlement to payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The reduction was proper and the appeal is denied.

The Board is remanding the case due to new evidence received after a previous denial, and will determine if it's sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by irritability, depression, nightmares, social and emotional isolation, and difficulty sleeping. His ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and engage in gainful employment is severely impacted by his PTSD. He was recently hospitalized due to homicidal and suicidal ideation caused by PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's spondylolisthesis was aggravated by his service-connected right femur fracture, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a contusion to the left hip is granted, as his current disability (bursitis and traumatic arthritis) are found to be related to his in-service injury.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability remained at 10 percent.

The appellant's claim to be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits is denied due to a legal impediment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia warranted a 10% evaluation as of May 9, 2000, and granted an effective date for this determination.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension was waived due to the lack of fault on his part and undue financial hardship resulting from the overpayment.

The Board denied the appellant's attempt to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including ulcer disease. The decision is based on evidence that the current condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected back injury residuals.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to October 8, 1989, for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The March 1996 decision remains final.

The Board found that the veteran's current eye conditions are not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.