Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the appellant's request to reopen his claim of basic eligibility for VA disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have a head injury in service and does not currently have residuals of an inservice head injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for VA medical examinations. The claims will be considered on the basis of having an undiagnosed illness due to Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have malaria during service and there is no current evidence of its presence. As a result, the claim for service connection for malaria was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for duodenal ulcer. The veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was not supported by new and material evidence, and his duodenal ulcer did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of a medial meniscus tear of the left knee warrant an initial noncompensable evaluation, which was increased to a 10 percent rating effective from September 9, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hip and buttock do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent, as his symptoms are indicative of moderate injury. A separate additional 10 percent rating is granted for mild incomplete paralysis of the left sciatic nerve.