Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board found that the appellant was not at fault in creating the overpayment and that VA had considerable fault. The decision grants waiver of recovery of the $1,683 death pension overpayment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's service connection claim for pneumonitis is granted as his current condition is related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits should be waived, as he was solely at fault in not notifying VA of his spouse's death and continued to receive benefits for which he was no longer entitled.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently demonstrated disability of ankylosing spondylitis and generalized spinal arthritis is due to disease or injury incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral defective vision and headaches. The appellant had pre-existing conditions that existed prior to his entry into military service, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back and neck disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his active service.

The RO denied service connection for deep vein thrombophlebitis of the left leg in July 1977, and this decision is not considered to have been made with clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral foot and leg disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's left leg disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The veteran's request for waiver of an overpayment of VA improved disability pension benefits was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period following notification of the debt.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge was under dishonorable conditions, and thus her claims for home loan guaranty benefits and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits have been denied.

The veteran's disability, residuals of a septoplasty, is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling since the effective date of service connection. The evaluation is based on findings from the July 2002 VA examination indicating an obstruction of at least 85 percent in each nostril and pansinus disease.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for otitis media, finding that there is no current evidence of active infection or other symptoms warranting a compensable rating. The RO has already established service connection and assigned ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right arm disorder. The appellant's history of a fractured right elbow 41 years prior with diagnosis of traumatic arthritis is considered, suggesting a link between the current arthritic condition and the reported injury during service.

The veteran's hyperhidrosis and dyshidrosis of the hands were incurred during his period of active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current left hand disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability evaluation for Bell's Palsy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The veteran was rated at 20 percent since November 29, 1971.