Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed testicle disorder, stomach disorder, or ulcer disorder. The veteran's service medical records do not indicate any current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his residuals of a fracture of the left femur, finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the veteran's disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of recognized service in the United States Armed Forces, as determined by the U.S. service department.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing heart-related problems or cancer of the prostate gland during or within one year after military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for filariasis and special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected spinal cord atrophy with idiopathic paraplegia, as there is no evidence showing that filariasis was incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current 10% rating for the service-connected condition does not meet the requirements for special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board finds that the veteran's loss of teeth during service is due to natural progression and not combat or trauma, thus granting service connection for his dental disorder. However, as all relevant evidence shows that he has no remaining teeth, he does not meet the criteria for VA dental treatment.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for VA benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found no evidence of missing teeth due to dental trauma during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a hiatal hernia, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The veteran's request for a waiver of his overpayment debt was denied due to his failure to timely file the request within 180 days after being notified of the debt.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a gun shot wound to the left hip do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied by the RO. The RO also found that his current claim was not entitled to special monthly pension due to income from Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the veteran's request to restore his 306 pension benefits, finding that his income exceeded the maximum allowable limit.

The veteran's right fifth finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of interference with functioning of other digits or the hand.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected status post aortic valve replacement. The Board has remanded the case to ensure compliance with instructions set forth in the October 1999 remand, and to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability associated with hammertoe of the right foot that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth resulting from dental injury during service, as there was no evidence of such an injury. The case was remanded to consider whether the veteran is eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment based on his application received after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracic spine and denied a compensable evaluation for pneumonia.

The Board finds that the veteran's post-operative heart condition did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.