Other conditions decisions — 2001

The veteran claims service connection for Hodgkin's lymphoma, which she contends was caused by exposure to environmental hazards or contaminants during her service in the Persian Gulf region. The claim is remanded due to a lack of corroboration of her claimed exposure and incomplete medical records.

The veteran's service-connected back disability, characterized by residuals of back injury with herniated nucleus pulposus and traumatic arthritis, is productive of moderate limitation of motion. The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 3, 1998, for assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for deviated nasal septum is being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical records and consideration of whether entitlement arose prior to that date.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, effective November 18, 1997. The veteran's PTSD is productive of disabling symptoms but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for defective vision as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for total right hip replacement for aseptic necrosis with chronic right hip strain and arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected urinary tract infection with prostatitis, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right arm, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's patella femoral syndrome of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for xerosis and secondary pruritus due to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and his spine disabilities, are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO. The case will then be reviewed by the RO and returned to the Board.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins and gingivitis, finding no evidence of these conditions during his active duty. The claim for new and material evidence regarding hearing loss was also denied as there is no indication of a current disability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected arteriosclerotic occlusive disease of the left distal femoral popliteal artery, effective from November 9, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's painful callus on his left heel is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for a back injury.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of fracture, right fourth metacarpal, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his disability warrants such a rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a local hearing before a Member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals as soon as practicable.

The VA denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for psoriatic arthritis in both feet, effective from the date service connection was established.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and an increased evaluation for his psychotic depressive reaction.