Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining information about his exposure to ionizing radiation in service and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and spondylolisthesis and spondylosis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent effective March 29, 2000. The conditions are characterized by painful calluses and lesions causing interference with ambulation.

The veteran's right elbow strain and tendonitis have been rated at 10 percent since September 26, 1994. The appeal is for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bowel syndrome does not warrant an extraschedular evaluation, as there is no evidence of unusual disability picture or impractical application of regular schedular standards.

The Board found that the veteran's complaints of impaired equilibrium were not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred from March 22, 2002, through April 22, 2002, at the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York. The decision found that prior authorization was not obtained and that the treatment did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of a fractured right mandible, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's actions did not constitute bad faith, and thus his waiver request is granted. The debt will be waived as it does not violate the principles of equity and good conscience.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the service-connected right tibia and fibula disability, effective October 17, 2001. The non-psychotic organic brain syndrome remains rated at 10%.

The veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and scheduling a hearing. The veteran is seeking service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result of Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from residuals of a head injury and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's claimed abdominal injury during service, and denied his claims for urinary incontinence and nephrectomy.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ring finger and nose disorders are not related to his period of active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of mild or moderate incomplete paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia in the veteran's ulnar nerve entrapment conditions. Therefore, an increased evaluation for service-connected right and left ulnar nerve entrapments is denied.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's residuals of cancer of the larynx, finding that his current rating of 60 percent is appropriate based on the evidence showing partial laryngectomy and no new or recurrent disease.

The veteran's service was not considered wartime service, and thus the appellant is denied basic eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The veteran's legal blindness does not meet the criteria for needing aid and attendance of another person or being housebound, as he is capable of performing his daily activities independently.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date earlier than October 6, 1999, for the apportionment of her husband's VA benefits.