Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's herpes simplex was evaluated as 10 percent disabling from August 30, 2002. The condition involved the groin and genital area with intermittent use of Acyclovir for less than 6 weeks in any 12-month period.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Paget's disease, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral occlusion of the ear canals with cerumen is denied. The Board finds that any ear issues are acute and transitory, not chronic.

The VA has denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of her bilateral lower extremity varicosities, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia of the patella with degenerative changes and limited motion, is currently rated at 30 percent. The court also granted a separate evaluation for instability of the right knee.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability or symptoms, to include as due to undiagnosed illness. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking any current respiratory condition to active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's overpayment of VA improved pension benefits was not due to fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith. The decision granted a waiver of recovery for $1,500 of the overpayment.

The Board found that the veteran's right hand stab wound residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they do not demonstrate ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of heat exhaustion, fluid retention, fatigue, or profuse sweating. The sleep disorder is also determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, finding no evidence of current disability and insufficient medical nexus to link any diagnosed foot conditions to service.

The Board has found that the veteran's mood disorder is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's stomach disorder, diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia, was found to be incurred in service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for mechanical back pain, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to his left index finger, finding that the evidence supports a link between the current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the right lower extremity are secondary to his service-connected PTSD and grants entitlement to service connection for these residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence received since the May 2002 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The veteran's claim remains denied, and a new SSOC will be issued.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lung disorder, characterized as emphysema. After considering all available evidence, including a VA pulmonary examination report, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for the veteran's emphysema.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for malaria remains in denied status after additional development. The case is being remanded to the RO for further consideration of all evidence.