Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of T5 paraplegia, finding that there was no medical opinion linking the condition to in-service disease or injury prior to February 3, 1992.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's taking of Motrin and his development of diffuse large cell histiocytic gastric lymphoma, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board finds that the claim of entitlement to service connection for colon disease, to include diverticulosis and diverticulitis is well grounded. The veteran's current disability is related to his gastrointestinal problems during service.

The veteran's claim of a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records from his therapists and psychiatrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a dorsal spine disability is well grounded, and his claim for service connection for an abnormal ECG is also well grounded.,Regarding the low back disability, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right lower extremity and an increased evaluation for varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The July 1994 RO rating decision that initially denied these claims is final.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of disability compensation benefits for the period from September 1, 1979 to August 31, 1991 should be waived due to significant fault on the part of the veteran. The recovery of the overpayment covering the period from February 1, 1979 through August 31, 1979 is also granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a tonsillectomy do not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of current symptoms or impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's overpayment of pension benefits was properly created due to his intentional failure to report income, and denied a waiver of recovery.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to an acute myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic disease, finding that there was no evidence of nicotine dependence in service or that the veteran's smoking-related death was caused by in-service smoking rather than post-service smoking.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing the veteran with a new compensation examination. The issues of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder secondary to medication prescribed for his gastrointestinal disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also referred back to the RO.

The Board found no evidence of a current neck disability and concluded that the appellant's claim for service connection was not well-grounded. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a missile wound of the back and a fracture of the right radial styloid with degenerative joint disease are both granted, with each receiving a 10% evaluation.

The veteran is not entitled to payment for unauthorized dental services from August 18, 1998 through November 5, 1998 due to lack of preauthorization and the treatment was not in an emergency situation.

The veteran's hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet with multiple calluses is manifested by crusting, which warrants a 50% evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of surgery to repair the left anterior cruciate ligament, finding that the disability is manifested by painful limitation of motion and slight subluxation and instability.

The veteran's attorney has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of whether VA can pay attorney fees resulting from a July 1999 rating decision where all past-due benefits have already been paid.

The Board has granted an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of avulsion, nail and touchpad of left middle finger. The claim for a higher initial evaluation for the service-connected fractured nose remains denied.

The veteran is granted compensation for additional disability, including paresis of the left fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth cranial nerves, as well as ischemic changes on the left middle cerebellar peduncle and encephalomalacia of the left superior cerebellar hemisphere, due to VA medical treatment in April 1995.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder was denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 1999 without providing good cause.