Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of left hip degenerative joint disease as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current disability to an in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to distinguish symptoms and impairment attributable to the service-connected condition from any nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected amputation of the left great toe does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it did not involve removal of the metatarsal head. The current 10% disability rating is upheld.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cyclothymic disorder warrants a 70 percent disability evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for hypertensive retinopathy with field defect was dismissed as there was no timely filed substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bullous lung disease and pneumothorax, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appellant's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA pension benefits.

The Board found that the appellant's memory loss and attention issues are due to a pre-existing learning disability, not related to his service in Southwest Asia. Therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's ulcerative colitis warrants a 30 percent disability rating, and his initial compensable disability rating for chronic arthralgia of multiple joints prior to January 21, 2000 is maintained. The appeal regarding a higher rating for the arthritis beginning on January 21, 2000 remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood and a stomach disorder manifesting by diarrhea are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions had their onset during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current 30 percent rating for psychoneurosis is not sufficient to reflect the severity of his disability, but found no evidence supporting a higher rating under either the old or new criteria.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for residuals of pulmonary embolism effective April 1, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral flatfoot disability.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional service medical records and for further VA examination of the veteran's lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for urethral stricture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized by pronounced symptomatology including severe limitation of motion and radiculopathy, warrants a 60 percent evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's post gastrectomy syndrome, which is rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 7308, does not warrant an increased evaluation as it only produces moderate impairment.

The veteran's permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is granted as of July 30, 1997.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no medical evidence linking the emphysema to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a shrapnel wound of the back is granted as there is competent evidence of current disability, in-service injury consistent with combat, and an etiological relationship between the scar and the claimed shrapnel wound.