Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a tailbone injury, finding no evidence linking his current disability to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected laceration of the right thigh does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoporosis and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking her osteoporosis to her service-connected conditions or good cause for not reporting for her scheduled examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen prior to October 29, 2002 as there was no evidence of compensable scar symptomatology.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left knee are currently evaluated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is also rated as 10 percent prior to June 10, 1999; 30 percent from June 10, 1999 to September 16, 2002; and non-compensable after that date.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiological integumentary reaction is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's vitiligo was present prior to service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's current lung disability is not a result of VA treatment, and the Board finds that there was no negligence or lack of care by VA in his treatment. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms warrant this level of disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's arthritis of the hands was not incurred in or aggravated by wartime service and is not presumed to have been so incurred. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to service, including internment as a prisoner of war, and concluded that it more likely than not resulted from natural aging processes.

The Board denied service connection for muscle atrophy of all the extremities, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service between January 4, 1963 and October 25, 1972 was due to willful and persistent misconduct, constituting a bar to VA disability benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder due to asbestos exposure, finding that there was no current evidence of such disability and concluding that any previous findings were not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for post-traumatic organic brain syndrome, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hand disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or severe incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hidradenitis suppurativa as of December 1, 1993 was denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability is severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at the time of his death due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left thumb CMC arthritis with joint subluxation and DeQuervain's tendonitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have persisted since then.