Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a chronic foot disorder related to service, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hyperkeratosis.

The Board found that the veteran's current left eye disability, manifested by loss of vision, is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed inservice stressors actually occurred.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected status post pulmonary embolism, effective from September 4, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial noncompensable ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, finding that his knee disabilities did not warrant any higher rating based on their symptoms and examination findings.

The veteran's overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits in the amount of $3,065.00 is waived due to his income and expenses being essentially equal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left hand disability, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for the residuals of a left forearm fracture, thus denying the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anal fissure does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no objective evidence of leakage or involuntary bowel movements.

The appellant is entitled to compensation for additional disability arising from VA treatment due to the use of topical steroid medications.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized arthritis is not proximately due to, the result of or aggravated by his service-connected postoperative residuals of ulcerative colitis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's left foot disability, characterized by hallux valgus with bunion, rotation of the big toe, and residuals of surgery with hammer toes, shortening, dislocation, deformity, and callus formation, warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The appeal is denied as higher evaluations are not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for shortness of breath and fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and bilateral hernias as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of peptic ulcer disease.

The veteran died of colon cancer, a radiogenic and presumptive disease. However, the evidence does not show he participated in radiation-risk activity during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and therefore has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of nonservice-connected death pension benefits, finding that her actions were in bad faith and thus waived.

The veteran's claim for residuals of a right foot laceration was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. His claim for an increased evaluation for his left hand disability was granted at 30%. The status of the chalazion of the right upper eyelid is unknown.

The Board denied the de novo issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, concluding that a psychosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of the thoracic spine at the T-7 level, finding that this met the schedular criteria.