Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right buttock shell fragment wound residuals are currently rated at 20 percent disabling, which is appropriate given his symptoms and clinical findings.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance between the positive and negative evidence with regard to the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant's currently diagnosed intermittent explosive disorder was present in service, thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's GSW to the left foot is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for this disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that his disabilities did not permanently prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back condition is well-grounded and VA has satisfied its duty to assist in developing facts pertinent to this claim. The current disability rating of 20 percent, which includes a combination of a 10 percent rating for vertebral deformity due to avulsion fracture at L4-5 and a 10 percent rating for slight limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, is appropriate given the veteran's functional impairment.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected epididymitis, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's cardiovascular disease is presumed to have been incurred during his service as a prisoner of war, and he was interned for more than 30 days. The Board granted service connection based on the presumption.

The Board found the veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability and fatigue, lethargy, dizziness and confusion secondary to her service-connected vitamin B deficiency not well-grounded.,The claim for an increased rating for her service-connected vitamin B deficiency was denied as there is no evidence of current chronic disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to an in-service disease or injury, including asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected L5-S1 discectomy with traumatic arthritis was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the left lower extremity and an increased evaluation for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, finding that his claims are not well grounded.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability evaluation from 20% to 30%, finding that his condition, including a fused C5-6 diskectomy with fusion, did not improve and thus warranting restoration of the original rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a total abdominal hysterectomy as there was no competent medical evidence linking her condition to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's overpayment of VA pension benefits should be waived due to his financial hardship and lack of fault in creating the debt. The veteran was granted a waiver, but he is still responsible for repaying $644.00 plus accrued interest.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility to educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code is denied due to lack of qualifying service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory cancers was granted based on a June 1994 change in the regulations allowing for the presumption of service connection. The effective date cannot be earlier than August 14, 1995, as it is precluded by law.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of loss of the left hand is being remanded to evaluate his current neurologic impairment and determine if any effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for varicose veins of the right leg, finding that the condition is no more than 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the appropriate issue for consideration is entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 16, 1992, for a grant of service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the multiple joints.