  In dimension $d\geq 3$, a variational principle for the size of the pure
point spectrum of (discrete) Schr\"odinger operators $H(\mathfrak{e},V)$ on the
hypercubic lattice $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$, with dispersion relation $\mathfrak{e}$
and potential $V$, is established. The dispersion relation $\mathfrak{e}$ is
assumed to be a Morse function and the potential $V(x)$ to decay faster than
$|x|^{-2(d+3)}$, but not necessarily to be of definite sign. Our estimate on
the size of the pure-point spectrum yields the absence of embedded and
threshold eigenvalues of $H(\mathfrak{e},V)$ for a class ot potentials of this
kind. The proof of the variational principle is based on a limiting absorption
principle combined with a positive commutator (Mourre) estimate, and a Virial
theorem. A further observation of crucial importance for our argument is that,
for any selfadjoint operator $B$ and positive number $\lambda >0$, the number
of negative eigenvalues of $\lambda B$ is independent of $\lambda$.
