Other conditions decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied, and he is currently rated at 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation or total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease of multiple joints is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals, tonsillectomy due to lack of residual symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's spermatocele with right testicle removal was not present during service or for more than a year thereafter, and it was not caused by any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's HIV-related illness is manifested by recurrent constitutional symptoms, diarrhea, and weight loss. The criteria for a disability rating of 60 percent are met.

The veteran died in 1998 and there is no evidence of a claim for service connection for stomach cancer being filed prior to his death. Therefore, the appellant's request for accrued benefits based on this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 12, 1999 for service connection for fracture of the left femur with leg shortening due to his failure to provide requested evidence within one year and because the February 1996 decision denying service connection was final.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hallucinogen perception disorder, finding that it was not incurred in line of duty due to his own drug use.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder, finding that it was decided on the merits without involving any new evidence or a presumption.

The Board found that recovery of the overpayment would not be against equity and good conscience, as there was significant fault on the part of the veteran but collection would not deprive him or his spouse of basic necessities.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his death while the case was pending.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service with the United States Armed Forces and therefore is not eligible for VA compensation or pension benefits.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vasovagal syncope and hypotension, arthritis, bursitis, and rheumatism. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a 30 percent evaluation. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the December 1965 rating decision, which reduced the veteran's pilonidal sinus disability rating from 10% to 0%, contains an error. The effective date for a compensable (10%) rating is now March 1, 1966.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for skin rash disability and prostate disability.

The veteran's sleep disorder and respiratory disorder are not service connected. The Board has granted a 40% evaluation for prostatitis as of December 11, 2002.

The appellant's recognized guerilla service from September 1944 to August 1945 is not considered active military, naval or air service for the purposes of awarding NSC pension benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's skin cancer was not caused by in-service exposure to ionizing radiation and denied his claim for service connection.