Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses for the period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996 due to her failure to submit evidence within one year of the income reporting period.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's lacerated fourth finger of the right hand sustained during service resulted in current residuals, and the Board has granted service connection for these residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia with reflux and duodenitis, assigning a 10 percent evaluation effective August 24, 1995. The veteran's appeal is dismissed without prejudice to the veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm disability and an increased rating for right hand disability. The veteran's left arm condition was not found to be related to his military service, while the right hand cyst did not cause any functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for epididymitis or eye disability, as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities related to in-service episodes.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence, but has denied the claim as there is no competent evidence relating the bronchogenic carcinoma that caused his death to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings on the issues of left leg shrapnel wound, right leg shrapnel wound with retained metallic foreign body, and missile wound of the left hand before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating satisfaction with the August 2002 hearing officer decision that assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal reaction.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to the severing of his external sphincter during surgery, which was considered a foreseeable consequence and not attributable to VA negligence.

The VA Medical Center denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical treatment provided by the Tuomey Regional Medical Center on August 21, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss due to an undiagnosed illness. The initial disability rating of 20 percent for joint pain was granted, effective October 4, 1996. However, the issue regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for joint pain is not before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed residuals of bilateral burst eardrums are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support this claim and the medical records do not indicate any current residual issues related to the alleged injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, finding no competent medical evidence to support a link between any current diagnosed conditions and his military service.