Other conditions decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted for either knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 5, 1998 for a 10 percent disability rating for her service-connected bilateral varicose veins. The evidence did not show that an increase in disability occurred more than one year before she filed her claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media of the left ear and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or any link to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-operative duodenal ulcer, finding that his disability was no more than moderate and appropriately rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's respiratory disorder, which may be related to in-service exposure to solvents, cleaners, and chemicals. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's reopened claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of the right posterior chest and healed fracture of the distal end of the right fibula do not meet the criteria for increased evaluations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from November 13, 2001, to December 3, 2001.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for herniated nucleus pulposus is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral bunions were incurred during active service and granted service connection for them. However, the Board found no competent evidence linking a current diagnosis of shin splints to any incident of service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, effective from October 23, 1996. The appellant requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Hodgkin's disease but denied a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa is manifested by intermittent flare-ups in the groin area, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board has found that the veteran's arthritis of the right thumb is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right thumb fracture, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and compensable rating for his postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia and residuals of stress reaction of the proximal tibias and os calcis bilateral, secondary to calcaneo-varus, prior to March 1, 2003. The Board found that there was no evidence of recurrent hernia or more than sensory involvement in the postoperative right inguinal hernia, and that the appellant's residuals of stress reaction did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as there is no evidence of weight loss, anemia, or incapacitating episodes averaging 10 days or more in duration at least four times per year.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's death to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking the cause of death (refractory anemia) to military service or a service-connected disability.