Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his tobacco use in service, which substantially and materially contributed to his cause of death. The claim is therefore granted.

The veteran's widow died during the pendency of her claim for death pension, and therefore, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The veteran's service-connected narcotic addiction with adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood is rated at 30 percent, effective as of November 7, 1996.

The case must be remanded to the RO for a comprehensive examination and readjudication of the claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, due to confusion over the appellant's address.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current abdominal aortic aneurysm to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of ingrown toenails and the residuals of a laceration of the fourth finger, left hand. The claim for chronic epididymitis is denied as there is no current evidence of this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has not issued a final decision regarding the veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU. The attorney is ordered to refund any fees paid for services rendered before VA.

The attorney is not eligible to charge a fee for services rendered in connection with the RO&IC's January 2000 grant of a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected strongyloidiasis, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he did not have qualifying wartime service for VA pension benefits.

The veteran's left foot disability, including partial amputation of the first and second toes with a laceration of the third toe, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected uterine fibroids, status post hysterectomy are currently rated at 30 percent and the claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her Crohn's Disease, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a back injury with spinal stenosis, finding that it more nearly approximates moderate impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a waiver of loan guaranty indebtedness due to it being untimely filed, as he did not file his request within one year after receiving notice of the debt.

The Board found that the veteran did not suffer additional disability as a result of VA surgical treatment in August 1990, and thus denied compensation for residuals of postoperative right inguinal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's current blindness is not related to service, as there are no service medical records and his eye problems were first noted after discharge. The Board concluded that the veteran's blindness was due to sickle cell trait, which he had since 1966.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disease as not well grounded, due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes a medial meniscectomy, post-medial corner repair, and pes anserinus transfer, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 40 percent rating.