Other conditions decisions — 2002

The VA determined that the inheritance proceeds received by the veteran in April 1994 constituted countable income for determining his rate of improved disability pension benefits, and thus reduced his pension benefits accordingly.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for allergic reaction as there is no current medical evidence to establish a chronic disability related to this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, finding that his symptoms did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and instead diagnosed him with schizophrenia.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for reflex sympathetic dysfunction was granted, with a rating of 20 percent and effective from April 22, 1994.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right abdominal rectus muscle protuberance, a small tear without herniation or need for a belt, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye disability, which was previously denied in February 1948. The reopened claim will now be considered on its merits.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of breast cancer, status post right total mastectomy, effective from August 1, 1998. The veteran's claim was received within one year after her discharge from active duty.

The veteran's Social Security benefits were considered as countable income for improved disability pension purposes, and his pension rate was reduced effective June 1, 1995.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a nasal injury due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the VA examiner concluded that there is no causal relationship between the veteran's current nasal condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left groin neuralgia with nerve entrapment warrants a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 8530, as it is considered analogous to paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve. The maximum schedular evaluation for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's requests for increased evaluations of his left arm disability and for a compensable evaluation of his scars. The appeal for nonservice-connected pension was also denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher rating based on current manifestations.

The veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied due to his failure to report additional income, specifically Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin condition of the left foot had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell anemia and found that it was aggravated by service. The veteran is now granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right rotator cuff tear, status post arthroscopic surgery was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to loss of use of his left wrist/hand, finding insufficient medical evidence to show such a condition.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, liver failure due to or as a consequence of veno-occlusive disease and allogenic bone marrow transplant/syngeneic due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was incurred in service. The evidence reasonably shows a causal connection between the veteran's acute lymphoblastic leukemia and exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure is causally related to his in-service episodes of tonsillitis, and affords him the benefit of doubt.