Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left eye blindness and right eye disability, finding no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's mild ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity is related to his service, specifically his service-connected right shoulder disability. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's epiphora of both eyes is secondary to injuries sustained during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right third metacarpal tendon laceration and granted service connection for these residuals. The Board also found that new evidence did not support reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for his right forearm disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the current diagnosis is related to the condition shown during service.

The Committee has determined that the veteran was at fault in not informing VA of his remarriage and new wife's Social Security income, which led to an overpayment. The debt is being waived as it would be against equity and good conscience to require repayment.

The Board denied service connection for a total vaginal hysterectomy and remanded the recoupment of separation pay from VA disability benefits. The veteran's claim for service connection is pending, while her recoupment claim remains under review.

The Board found that the cause of death was Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure. The claim for Dependent's Educational Assistance was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that pancreatic cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory, eye, and elbow conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right foot disability, characterized by severe incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve and arthritis, warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a throat disorder, finding that the condition was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a herniated disc at L4-5 qualify for a 60 percent evaluation, which is the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The Board found that a sinus disorder did not arise during active military service and is not related to any disease or injury in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran's service-connected mixed urinary incontinence status post Burch procedure with paravaginal repair is currently rated at 60 percent from March 21, 2000. The evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The VA has determined that the veteran's amnestic disorder warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his separation from active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with right pneumonectomy, finding no direct evidence linking it to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left eye conditions, including impaired vision due to refractive error and presbyopia, are not service-connected as they are considered natural aging processes. The vitreous detachment of the left eye is also deemed a result of natural aging.

The veteran's claim for an extension of his basic 10-year period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill was denied as he did not serve a later period of active duty nor was he prevented from pursuing or completing his program of education prior to October 1999 due to a disability.