Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the appellant's skin disease of the feet is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left little finger disability and denied his claim for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic otitis externa, bilateral, and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective August 21, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and entitlement to accrued benefits, finding that there was no evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for increased special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and denied his claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's recurrent meningiomas and enlarged prostate to service or any incident of service, including in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the veteran did not suffer a cerebrovascular accident during his active duty service or within one year of discharge from service, nor is the post-service cerebrovascular accident otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. However, the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms were not more nearly approximated by moderate recurring episodes of severe symptoms or continuous moderate manifestations.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have residuals of frozen feet and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration of his claims for effective dates prior to April 30, 1996 for service connection awards for right and left total hip replacement residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left brachial plexopathy as secondary to his service-connected left clavicle fracture residuals, finding that there was no evidence establishing a definitive relationship between these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for dizziness and blackouts. The appeal is granted on this issue, but further development is needed before a de novo decision can be made.

The Board found no evidence of a skin disorder or respiratory disorder that was incurred in service, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for a cystic lesion of the left proximal femur and denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the left lower leg.

The Board found that the veteran's decreased vision was not caused by any incident during service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for cervical strain, low back disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will address these issues in a future decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, maintaining the current 50% rating.

The Board found that recovery of the overpayment would not be against equity and good conscience, as the veteran was at fault in creating the overpayment. The decision concluded that repayment would not result in undue hardship for the veteran.