Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board denied the appellant's claim for improved death pension benefits due to her countable income exceeding the maximum annual income limit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for sesamoiditis of both feet, finding that the functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to Muscle Group XIII does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of severe disability. The current 30 percent rating remains in effect due to its long duration.

The Board found that the veteran's psychophysiologic gastrointestinal disability, which is predominantly psychiatric in nature with mild symptoms affecting work efficiency during periods of significant stress, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right inguinal hernia and associated nerve impairment do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than mild neurologic involvement.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected muscle injuries to his left axilla, upper back, and left arm. The current evaluations are 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as his right knee symptomatology is not manifested by additional disability that was the result of VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a mixed schizoaffective disorder and an increased rating for residuals of head trauma, with the latter effective from October 1990.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence showing current back disability, and denied his claim on the merits as there is no evidence of a coccygeal injury in service.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 60 percent evaluation to a 20 percent evaluation for postoperative traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta with pseudoaneurysm was proper based on improvement in the veteran's condition as evidenced by thorough VA examinations conducted in March and April 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not related to his service, including any exposure to dioxin or other chemicals. The claim was denied.

The Board has restored the veteran's 20 percent disability evaluation for postoperative residuals of a left varicocele, with inguinal nerve irritation and entrapment history due to improper reduction based on less full and complete examinations.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected Barrett's epithelium and hiatal hernia do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's SLE with nephritic complications has been rated at 30 percent since April 3, 2000.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA death benefits due to a lack of service as a member of the United States Armed Forces, despite her spouse having claimed service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army.

The veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome was increased to a 60 percent rating effective January 28, 2000. She also received a TDIU with eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his pre-existing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for outpatient dental treatment and related dental appliances from VA, finding that he did not have a compensable service-connected dental disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection in February 1986, finding that her pre-existing eye condition existed prior to entry into service and was not aggravated by active duty. The veteran is now seeking to reopen this claim with new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.