Other conditions decisions — 2001

The Board has granted increased disability ratings for the veteran's diverticulosis of the colon and rectal prolapse, both rated at 10 percent.

The veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for varicose veins of the lower extremities effective October 12, 1993. A separate 20 percent rating was awarded for each lower extremity since January 12, 1998.,The veteran's claim for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of March 16, 1999, for a 20% rating for his service-connected ventral hernia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claim for service connection for acute back strain is currently denied.

The Board has deferred adjudication of the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for a reading disorder and dysthymia pending further development by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for prostatic hypertrophy, postoperative status, finding that the veteran's surgeries were performed in response to prostatic hypertrophy initially shown during peacetime service.

The veteran sustained a cold injury to both hands during service and currently has residuals of this injury. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran, and grants service connection for cold injury residuals to the hands.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that her bilateral hip disorder, including avascular necrosis and degenerative joint disease, was incurred in service. The weight of the evidence is against the veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to his receipt of VA benefits.

The Board determined that the veteran's adjustment disorder with depressive features does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, and his service-connected disability does not render him totally and permanently incapable of obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left foot injury due to insufficient evidence and incomplete medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial in February 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the veteran's claims of service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome and evaluation of lumbosacral strain with spasm and arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination of the veteran's back disorder and right foot disability. The veteran is advised to respond within the given period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery and an increased rating for his right wrist ganglionectomy, finding that there was no evidence of required immobilization or extended convalescence related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected chronic lung condition with shortness of breath and dyspnea was rated at 30 percent effective December 20, 2000. Before that date, the evaluation was 10 percent from September 25, 1995 to July 22, 1997.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left middle finger disability warrants a 20 percent rating, based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected left tibial plateau fracture with traumatic arthritis, currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing on an extraschedular basis, finding that the veteran's employment and hospitalization did not meet the criteria for an exceptional or unusual disability picture.