Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of both hips may be service connected due to his period of service, including his POW experience. However, an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and colon cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied because there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's neuropsychological signs and symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, a depressed mood, and irritability, are attributed to service-connected dysthymic disorder and panic disorder. The cardiovascular signs or symptoms, including chest pain, are attributed to mitral valve prolapse diagnosed post-service. The veteran's skin blotches are related to her service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's low back syndrome is rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on current disability criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound due to his service-connected multiple myeloma. The evidence does not show that he is blind, nearly blind, a patient in a nursing home, or unable to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5 and assigned a 20 percent disability rating. However, the evidence shows an increase in severity of symptoms such as to warrant a higher 40 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's traumatic nasal septum deformity with mild obstruction.

The veteran's basal cell carcinoma is found to be related to his military service, specifically the prolonged sun exposure during his time as a prisoner of war (POW). The Board concludes that this condition can be causally linked to his service and grants service connection for basal cell carcinoma.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right hip disability, which includes a status post fracture of the right hip with degenerative arthritis, is no more than moderately disabling and does not warrant an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was well-grounded and granted service connection for residuals of an upper back and neck injury, including a herniated disc at C5-C6. The issue remains pending as further clinical development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for pleurisy and residuals of left spontaneous pneumothorax is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected nephrolithiasis could have provided the etiological factor in the development of his ESRD, leading to a right kidney transplant. Therefore, service connection is granted for chronic glomerulonephritis, status post right kidney transplant.

The Board found the veteran's claim for service connection a skin disorder, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of improved pension benefits in the amount of $32,725.53 due to new and material evidence submitted. The decision also grants the veteran's request to waive recovery of a separate overpayment of $100, finding that it would cause undue hardship.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of an appendectomy and right ureteral (urethral) calculus do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran's appendectomy scar is rated at the maximum allowable, and his current condition does not warrant a higher evaluation based on functional impairment or other factors. For the right ureteral calculus, the Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of recurrent stone formation requiring more than two invasive or noninvasive procedures per year, which would allow for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7508.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder is not well-grounded, and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disability is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an ear disability is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia and arthritis of the left knee with limitation of motion, but is remanding the issues regarding propriety of initial ratings.