Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's post traumatic stress disorder renders him substantially incapable of obtaining or retaining gainful employment, warranting a 100 percent initial rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post excision of vocal cord lesion and residuals of fractured second and third metatarsals do not warrant a compensable rating under current VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in May 1983. The appellant submitted new evidence to reopen her claim, and the RO granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death with an effective date of October 1, 1989.

The Board found that the veteran did not present sufficient evidence to establish a well-grounded claim for service connection for fatigue, joint pain, chest pain, and loose stools due to undiagnosed illness. The claims were denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 26, 1993 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability evaluation for bilateral leg disabilities and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both legs.

The appellant requested a hearing at the local VA Office to present her case regarding DIC benefits. The RO should schedule this hearing as per the Board's remand directive.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant is the spouse of the veteran for VA compensation and pension benefits for accrued purposes, based on secondary evidence supporting a valid marriage.

The veteran's left leg venous insufficiency disability, which has been rated at 60 percent since January 1998 and now warrants a 100 percent rating due to severe constant pain and board-like swelling in the leg, is currently of such severity as to preclude him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted.

The Board found that the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not well grounded and denied the claim.

The Board denied the claim as there was no new and material evidence to reopen a prior denial of VA benefits due to dishonorable discharge.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material.

The Board found no evidence of bradycardia during service or after, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left arm were denied as they do not warrant higher ratings given the current severity of his disabilities and the maximum attainable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disorder, to include diverticulitis, as secondary to his service-connected subtotal gastric resection is not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and entitlement to dependents' educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35 of Title 38 due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking the cause of death or any other condition to service, including alleged Agent Orange exposure.

The VA denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking the fatal condition to service.

The veteran's post traumatic stress disorder has resulted in considerable impairment in his ability to maintain and sustain effective or favorable social relationships, warranting a 50 percent initial rating under the old rating criteria. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, for periods of enrollment prior to May 31, 1994. The decision states that no educational assistance can be paid for any period prior to May 31, 1994.

The veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is manifested by markedly disfiguring scars from excised lesions on his face, neck, and back. However, there is no evidence of marked discoloration or color contrast associated with these scars, which prevents a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for nicotine dependence is denied as his claim is not well-grounded.