Other conditions decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection for a cataract of the left eye due to exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 1, 1997 was denied as he has no adjudicated service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's right foot disability, including infection and nonunion, is not deemed to be due to VA treatment or negligence.

The Board denied extra-schedular consideration for evaluations of chondromalacia patella in both the right and left knees, finding that the veteran's employment status did not warrant such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a brain tumor, which is considered a condition incurred in service. The appellant is therefore entitled to service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected epidermophytosis of the toes was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, with no additional ratings due to arthritis. The veteran also receives a separate 10 percent rating for his status-post arthrotomy, right knee.

The Board has determined that a compensable evaluation for the veteran's hydrocele of the left testicle is denied as there is no evidence of voiding or renal dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, which was previously denied in January 1991. The decision is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's dental disorders affecting teeth 23, 25, and 26, allowing him to receive VA dental treatment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hysterectomy residuals and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple, finding no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a skin disorder of the feet are related to his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a bayonet wound involving Muscle Group XXI warrants a 20 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a duodenal ulcer, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for a dependent son is denied. The earliest evidence showing the veteran informed VA about his son's birth was received on July 9, 1999, which is later than one year after the son's birth in May [redacted], 1998.

The veteran's death is being reviewed for service connection, and the DIC and Dependents Educational Assistance claims are also under consideration. The case must be remanded to complete necessary development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits due to her failure to file a timely application, as her September 1999 application was not received within one year of her husband's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychophysiologic cardiovascular reaction, which was manifested by complaints of palpitation and obsessive preoccupation with fears of heart condition, contributed substantially or materially to his death from sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.