Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board finds that the appellant's current ratings for hiatal hernia and right ear hearing loss are not sufficient to reflect the severity of his disabilities. The appellant's hiatal hernia is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, hematemesis, or melena. His right ear hearing loss remains at zero percent.

The veteran's initial increased rating for post traumatic stress disorder was granted, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability is considered in this decision.

The Board denied pension benefits in May 1984 and the moving party is requesting a revision of this decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error. The motion was denied as it did not meet the pleading requirements necessary to file a motion for clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any residuals of cold injury to his hands and feet, as evidenced by negative medical findings and lack of current disability.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for malaria residuals and a shell fragment wound of the head due to lack of new and material evidence, as these issues were not properly addressed by the RO.

The veteran's service-connected urinary incontinence is rated at 40 percent, effective September 16, 1996. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects her disability.

The appellant's spouse had recognized guerilla and Regular Philippine Army service, but this does not meet the requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left leg injury cannot be reopened because the submitted evidence is not new and material.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure, and memory loss due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for residuals of a rib fracture was not addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for phlebitis of the left lower extremity and an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left forearm, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found the veteran's claim not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of arthritis.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of December 18, 1998, for special monthly surviving spouse pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hip fracture are not productive of limitation of the thigh to 10 degrees or impairment of the femur productive of more than malunion with marked knee or hip disability, thus his claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for additional examinations. The service connection claim is related to a current disability, an in-service injury or disease, and a nexus between them.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims file. The case will be further reviewed by the RO after this.

The veteran's brain syndrome associated with trauma is productive of total social and industrial inadaptability, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The veteran's death was due to gastric carcinoma, but the Board found no evidence linking this condition to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The cause of death is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for prostatitis.