Other conditions decisions — 2002

The veteran's compensation benefits for recurrent pain and an abdominal wall bulge are subject to offset due to a settlement under the Federal Tort Claims Act. His application for vocational rehabilitation training was denied as he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Board finds that the veteran's post-traumatic scar on his head is service-connected, and arthritis of the neck is not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right inguinal hernia repair, finding no current disability and only undocumented history of such.

The Board has restored the veteran's 20% disability rating for his left knee disorder, effective from July 1, 1986.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code due to his failure to sign a 6-year enlistment contract with the Coast Guard Reserve after being conditionally released from the Army National Guard (ARNG). The appellant's eligibility for these benefits ended when he was released from the ARNG.

The veteran's claim for an increase in a 10 percent rating for conjunctivitis was denied as the condition is currently rated at its maximum of 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim to adjust his income for pension benefits due to insufficient proof of specific medical expenses at Farmacia Del Pueblo during 1998.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to basic eligibility for VA benefits based on alleged status as a veteran, finding that she did not have service in the Armed Forces and therefore could not be deemed a veteran.

The Board found that an effective date earlier than July 24, 1998 for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits is not warranted based on the facts found. The RO assigned an effective date of July 24, 1998 and payment began on August 1, 1998.

The Board denied the motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in assigning a 20 percent initial disability rating for impotence. The decision found that the evidence then of record supported the assignment of this rating.

The veteran's service-connected restless leg syndrome is rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has granted an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for pension benefits as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen its determination on eligibility.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected varicose veins did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from sepsis with neutropenia due to squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability evaluation for the service-connected residuals of frozen feet, which include chronic pain, osteoarthritis, hyperhidrosis, and atrophic skin changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth and gum disease, including periodontal disease, finding that his condition was not incurred or aggravated in line of duty during active service.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for postoperative left inguinal hernia repair, finding that the veteran's pain and sensitivity in the area of his left inguinal hernia scar are compensable under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right foot was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to the need for regular aid and attendance, considering his various disabilities that require assistance from another person.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the requirements for basic eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code.