Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting kyphoscoliosis did not undergo an increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted waiver of recovery of the overpayment of death pension benefits in the amount of $3,591 due to the appellant's failure to report income from lottery winnings and interest payments.

The veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate was granted service connection effective May 28, 1998, and an initial rating of 100% is assigned.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to January 12, 1994, for a 100 percent rating for the veteran's psychophysiological disorder is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury is well-grounded and grants the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no direct evidence linking the service-connected condition to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and industrial capacities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for her service-connected right ear otitis externa, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound to the left posterior chest, finding that the condition resulted only in a tender scar without additional functional loss.

The veteran's right knee disability was initially evaluated at 10 percent from February 9, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and on and after August 1, 1996. From July 21, 1999, the evaluation increased to 40 percent due to persistent symptoms including flare-ups of pain, incoordination, atrophy, weakness, fatigue, etc.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, claiming it was due to exposure to Agent Orange or nicotine dependence acquired in service. The claim for hepatitis was also denied as new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left thigh disorder with deep vein thrombosis was not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence showing any permanent increase in severity of his preexisting residuals of a gunshot wound to the left groin during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected nasolacrimal duct obstruction, right eye.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $825 in apportionment of VA disability compensation benefits due to her failure to file a timely request.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal opacities as well as a higher initial rating for chronic dry eyes. The claim for service connection was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions. The claim for a higher initial rating for chronic dry eyes was granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for residuals of dental trauma to teeth numbers 8 and 9 is granted, allowing him eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment. The rating for his nasal fracture remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm does not warrant a disability rating higher than 20 percent under either the old or new VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities criteria.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for earlier effective date of aid and attendance based on the revisions in the law, but no specific rating or effective date is assigned.

The Board has ordered additional evidence to be obtained regarding the appellant's insanity at the time of her court-martial offenses, as this term is defined in VA regulations. The claim will be reconsidered based on these new findings.