Other conditions decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected stomach disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a back injury is denied as his claim is not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral chondromalacia of the knees and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee.

The VA Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a splenectomy do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as there is no medical evidence to support his claims of frequent colds and coughs.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the new evidence was not material.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his post-operative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5 is being remanded due to insufficient development and consideration of the impact on employment.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected urticaria, finding that it manifested by at least six outbreaks per year without laryngeal involvement.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right foot disability, finding that the current 10% evaluation adequately reflects his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a laceration of the left ring finger, to include Dupuytren's contracture are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's leishmaniasis does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than those for the currently assigned 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for schizoaffective disorder is well-grounded and grants the claim.

The veteran's TMJ disorder was rated at 20 percent from November 25, 1992 through June 22, 1999 and has now been increased to 30 percent effective June 23, 1999.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome was not well grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to active duty service.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding that the disability did not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for swollen lymph nodes of the neck and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic back pain and myofascial pain syndrome, status-post fusion with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine at L3-5.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied all claims, finding no well-grounded evidence for PTSD and insufficient evidence of increased disability in the other issues.

The veteran's service with the New Philippine Scouts is not considered qualifying service for non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected burn on the right foot is being remanded. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for stasis ulcers related to his service-connected burn is also being addressed.