Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran does not have a plasma cell disorder that constitutes a disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection due to lack of evidence supporting such a condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ring finger disability, finding that the current evaluation of 10% is appropriate given the symptoms and findings.

The Board denied service connection for liver dysfunction in July 1987, and no new evidence has been submitted that would warrant reopening the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for knots on legs/inguinal nodes, finding no current disability and noting that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, which was previously denied in July 1994. The reopened claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 26, 1995, for the grant of service connection for Reiter's syndrome. The RO assigned this effective date based on a request to reopen received in October 26, 1995, which had been adjudicated as final prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for osteopenia and osteoporosis of the hips, knees, elbows and back as secondary to a service-connected kidney disorder. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic chest disorder, including shortness of breath, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's left leg deep vein thrombosis, effective from June 1999. The veteran reported pain with prolonged standing or walking and was diagnosed with post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg.

The veteran died of multiple strokes due to atherosclerotic vascular disease, which were not related to his military service. The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's basal cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented. The appeal was dismissed as the July 1997 denial of the claim remains final.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for VA benefits as the deceased veteran's child and for accrued benefits due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA expenses incurred at Munroe Regional Medical Center during an emergency room visit on March 4, 2001 is dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board found that the appellant and the veteran were legally divorced in June 1959, and thus did not meet the requirements to be recognized as the surviving spouse for VA death benefits.

The appellant forfeited eligibility for VA benefits due to submitting false information in her August 2000 application for death pension benefits, which listed a child as her dependent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to an ulcer, finding no new and material evidence presented since the May 1997 decision.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the appellant's service-connected right hand disability, characterized as amputation of middle and ring fingers. The ratings for the moderately severe muscle group XX wound in the right arm and moderate wound muscle group V in the right arm remain unchanged.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's gastritis or ulcerative colitis were caused by her service-connected back disability, and denied her claims for secondary service connection.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the veteran prior to issuance of the Board decision.