Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hands and a compensable evaluation for otitis media with perforated tympanic membrane, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected impairment of sphincter control, finding that occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating the wearing of a pad meet the criteria for this rating. The veteran's condition does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of extensive leakage or frequent involuntary bowel movements.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left varicocelectomy, finding that there was no basis to award a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a right leg and right sacroiliac joint disorder, but granted it on a de novo basis. The decision found that the preexisting condition was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by malnutrition and beriberi, which are presumed to have been incurred during his service as a POW. As such, the cause of the veteran's death is considered service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for claimed fracture residuals of the left tibia, finding that his fall was not due to any special zone of danger or action/inaction on VA's part during hospitalization.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected bronchiectasis with residuals of pneumonia did not contribute substantially or materially to his death and there was no evidence of myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease during service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a stomach disorder (claimed as gastric ulcer) during service or within one year after separation, and the veteran's current condition does not appear to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for generalized arthritis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left knee and thigh gunshot wound is denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The VA has granted service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis and assigned a noncompensable rating, which the veteran is appealing.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The appellant has no valid documentation verifying his military service, and therefore does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA disability benefits.

The Board found that the appellant's deceased husband had no qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces, and thus she is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not due to any service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's service with the Recognized Guerrillas is not considered active military service for purposes of the payment of death pension benefits, and therefore, the appellant has no legal entitlement to death pension benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected post-operative Morton's Disease, 2nd metatarsal, right foot warrants a 30 percent disability rating but not higher due to lack of evidence of actual loss of use of the foot.

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

The veteran's sterility and impotence are found to be secondary to his service-connected malaria. The veteran is also granted a noncompensable rating for his malaria.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left hand disability, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.