Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left hand injury do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and multiple aching joints due to exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that his developmental neuro-muscular disorder was not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's $2,880 overpayment of pension benefits was properly created and calculated. The Committee found no indication of fraud or bad faith on the part of the veteran in creating this debt. However, recovery would cause undue hardship due to the veteran's financial situation. Therefore, waiver of recovery is granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of improved death pension benefits in the amount of $21, 344 was timely filed and therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymic disorder developed secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder, however, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychoneurosis and sinus bradycardia, as well as a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support an increase in evaluation or entitlement to a total disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for body-wide arthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of his Chapter 30 educational benefits, finding that repayment would not be against equity and good conscience due to the veteran's fault in accepting full-time benefits he was not entitled to.

The veteran's overpayment of improved disability pension benefits is being reviewed due to his belief that the amount was incorrect. The issue will be remanded for further adjudication.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for a non-service connected heart attack were denied as VA did not provide prior authorization and the condition was not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities related to a flash burn incident during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for residuals of a flash burn to the left facial area or eyes.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain clarification of the appellant's service dates, additional medical records, and a VA examination to determine if the appellant has any respiratory disorders related to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for liver disease as due to exposure to herbicides in service and denied the claim for hernias below the stomach and around the small intestine, in the naval area, and in the groin area. The veteran's daughter provided a statement indicating that her father developed abdominal hernias during service due to carrying heavy loads.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for xerostomia, a dry mouth disorder. The RO then adjudicated the claim on a de novo basis and concluded that service connection was not warranted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his dermatophytosis with hyperhidrosis of the face, ears, hands, forearms, thighs, legs, and feet, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of filariasis, finding no current symptomatology attributable to the condition.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits, finding that she was at fault in creating the debt and denying her claim based on principles of equity and good conscience.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left second metatarsal is being remanded due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left leg are not shown to result in more than moderate disability, and thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.