Other conditions decisions — 2003

The VA determined that the veteran's current disability or additional disability, claimed as residuals of a gunshot wound resulting from treatment at a VA medical facility, is not demonstrated by objective clinical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for weight loss, fatigue, and elevated liver function test results as they are not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the veteran's death to his military service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board found no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and denied the claim for service connection.

The VA has granted the veteran a maximum 10 percent disability rating for active chronic conjunctivitis, but not for trachomatous conjunctivitis. The current evidence does not support an increase in evaluation based on unhealed eye injury.

The veteran's bladder dysfunction is currently rated at 30 percent, and his ischial decubitus ulcer is rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings are denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect the disability levels.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a service-connected eye disorder, specifically styes of the eyes, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of increased evaluation for tinea pedis, folliculitis, and palmar/plantar pustular psoriasis remains pending.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for an ulcer disease was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastritis is being remanded due to procedural issues, specifically the scheduling of a hearing in Washington, D.C. instead of New York as requested by the appellant.

The Board finds that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung is etiologically related to his tobacco use during active service.

The Board denied the moving party's claim for surviving spouse status, finding that she did not meet VA requirements due to her prior marriage and subsequent cohabitation with another man.

The veteran's appeal is granted as he meets the eligibility criteria for basic education benefits under Chapter 30 of the Veterans' Benefits Act.

The Board found that the veteran's skin rash on both thighs was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of disability compensation benefits in the amount of $3,375.02 due to fault on his part and unjust enrichment.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from aspiration pneumonia due to a cerebrovascular accident.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the February 1998 decision.

The Board found no evidence of a skin rash, weakness in the arms and legs or deterioration of the spine due to service. The back condition was attributed to an injury sustained during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neuropsychiatric disorder and chronic brain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a closed head injury in service, which led to an organic affective disorder and a mild neurocognitive disorder. The personality changes were also attributed to this injury. However, there is no evidence of PTSD or post-concussive disorder.