Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's cerebral vascular accident in October 1995 was not caused by VA treatment, but rather a natural progression of his pre-existing arterial occlusive vascular disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral metatarsalgia (Morton's disease), finding that the current 10 percent evaluation was appropriate given the veteran's symptoms and the lack of higher schedular ratings.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran due to an annulment that did not relate back, and found no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Board denied the waiver of overpayment of improved pension benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the appellant's failure to report income from other sources.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed to his alcoholism, which in turn contributed to his death from recurrent pneumonia due to aspiration. The Board finds that this combination of factors meets the criteria for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his case.

The veteran's appeal was denied for a waiver of overpayment in the amount of $3,660. The issue is not about service connection.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability claimed as due to gastric surgery performed during a June 1966 to August 1966 VA hospitalization was denied.

The Board denied service connection for Crohn's disease on a direct basis and as secondary to the pilonidal cyst. The veteran was granted a zero percent rating for residuals of a pilonidal cyst, but his claim for TDIU benefits was also denied.

The Board has determined that service connection for ankylosing spondylitis is granted due to aggravation during service.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and as a result of his alcohol abuse due to PTSD, he has chronic pancreatitis. The Board grants secondary service connection for the pancreatitis.

The veteran's conditions, including stroke, lung abscess, permanent nerve damage to the feet and legs, loss of memory, nervous breakdown, and loss of two teeth, were not determined to be caused by or aggravated by VA medical care. The Board found that there was no evidence of negligence or improper medical care.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for the service-connected postoperative deviated septum was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 6502.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for reduced vision, claimed as secondary to residuals of shrapnel wound to the right eye.

The veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on January 26, 2001 were denied reimbursement due to lack of prior authorization and the fact that the treatment was not for a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence, including VA clinical records and a May 2003 report of VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after this review.

The VA surgery to remove the veteran's left kidney and part of his 11th rib was deemed necessary for medical reasons, but it did not result in additional disability beyond what was already present. The tuberculous pleurisy is inactive and does not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for additional benefits for a dependent spouse from November 1995 to February 2000 was denied as there is no evidence of marriage prior to January 2000, and the divorce certificate was received after this period.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to acute myeloid leukemia, finding no evidence linking it to military service. The claim for service connection for acute myeloid leukemia was also denied as there was no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation or other causative factors during service.