Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the earlobe cysts and an earlier effective date, maintaining the current 10 percent evaluation since September 20, 1993.

The veteran's service-connected compression fracture of the thoracic spine at T-11 with wedge deformity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that there are no neurological manifestations and no ankylosis, thus denying a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic gastritis with peptic ulcer disease effective January 31, 1997 and assigned a 40% evaluation.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the additional medical evidence did not provide a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the original injury or relate current disability to qualifying service.

The Board found that the appellant's cardiovascular disability resulting from VA medical treatment in 1995 was caused by VA's failure to timely diagnose and treat his pre-existing heart disease, warranting benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied an effective date prior to July 10, 1998 for a grant of service connection for postoperative gastric cancer, which was secondary to a service-connected duodenal ulcer with partial gastrectomy and vagotomy.

The appellant's claim for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code is denied as she did not meet the eligibility requirements due to her age at the time of application.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a dental problem involving two front teeth, finding that there was no basis for compensation due to replaceable missing teeth and noting that the condition did not meet the criteria for disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected coccidioidomycosis is essentially inactive and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6835.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of improved nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to bad faith on his part in creating the overpayment.

The veteran's service-connected nicotine dependence, lung cancer, and brain metastasis are considered the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right forearm with instability of the right thumb and metacarpal joint, accompanied by moderate degenerative changes, result in some limitation of motion and endurance. The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The veteran's cause of death was adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and found that the veteran did not have a total disability deemed to be permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a distinct somatization disorder, finding no evidence of current disability.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and a compensable rating for his foot disabilities was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have pes cavus or hallux valgus due to military service, and that his current right heel disability is unrelated to his service-connected residuals of stress fracture.

The veteran's cause of death was adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and found that the appellant did not have basic eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has determined that the veteran's internal derangement of the right knee does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent since November 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, finding no evidence linking it to his military service or any other incident. The Board also found no link between the veteran's current arthritis and his service-connected malaria.