Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's loss of vision and cataracts did not begin during service or due to exposure to cold, carbon monoxide, or other factors. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran's pancreatitis began during his period of active military service from July 1966 to February 1970, and whether it is related to any in-service symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-concussion syndrome does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a tonsillectomy are related to his period of active duty service and granted this claim. However, there is no competent medical evidence of any current prostate condition related to his period of active duty service.

The veteran's bowel incontinence is not considered to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, or error. The Board finds that the additional disability was not caused by any fault on the part of VA.

The appellant's income for 1999 exceeded the applicable income limitation for improved death pension benefits, resulting in a denial of her claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for labyrinthine hypersensitivity, right ear.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits due to her husband's stroke, as the law only allows payment of such benefits up to two years prior to death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder, residuals of right and left leg injuries, and a left arm disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% schedular rating for post-traumatic stress disorder. The right elbow disability issue will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his long-term smoking habit, which began during service and contributed to his lung cancer. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's duodenal ulcer was not incurred during service and denied his claim for service connection, finding no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The veteran's macular degeneration with retinal pigment epithelial changes is service-connected, while his osteoporosis is not.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on both the part of the veteran and VA. The decision also noted that collection of the $3,001.00 overpayment would cause undue hardship.

The VA Regional Office denied the veteran's claim for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1922(a).

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's cold injury to both feet during service resulted in residuals, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his foot callosities and right hand disability was dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal after expressing satisfaction with the current ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher evaluation for his service-connected dermatophytosis of the feet, finding that no prior communication indicated intent to apply for benefits.