Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative laminectomy, L4-5, left and for a TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis is being remanded due to the absence of medical evidence linking his postservice diagnosis to gastrointestinal complaints in service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 1998, for a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral defective hearing is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received and other pending development, including obtaining service medical records and verifying treatment from non-VA providers.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left distal fibula and for special monthly compensation for loss of use of the left foot.

The veteran's permanent and total disability rating was granted retroactively to August 4, 1992. The appellant filed for educational assistance benefits on July 10, 1998, which is after the one-year period prior to her father's effective date of August 4, 1992. Therefore, she is denied a retroactive award.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for lung disease manifested by pleural plaques and for an effective date prior to December 5, 1995, for service connection. The veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating since December 5, 1995.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate examination findings, unclear findings of early degenerative changes, and potential combination of ratings for both knees.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral varicose veins were no more than moderate in degree prior to January 12, 1998 and have remained so since then. Effective from January 12, 1998, his right and left leg varicose veins have been manifested by intermittent edema of the extremity or aching and fatigue after prolonged standing or walking, with symptoms relieved by elevation of the extremity.

The appellant's husband is not shown to have had active military, naval or air service, or service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army. The appeal is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's lung disability is secondary to his nicotine dependence, which he developed during service. The additional pulmonary disability resulting from the March 1974 surgery is also considered secondary to his nicotine dependence.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized ambulance expenses incurred in connection with treatment at Seven Rivers Community Hospital on December 15, 1998. The Board found that the ambulance services were not provided in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The VA determined that the veteran's chalazions of the left eyelid have resolved without causing any functional or visual impairment, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation.