Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals, neuroma of the left median nerve. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the severity and extent of his disability, including any incomplete paralysis or other symptoms such as pain and limitation of motion. If there are additional disabling manifestations not overlapping with the current rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 8515, separate ratings may be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for tarsal tunnel syndrome and found that the veteran's inservice injuries contributed to the development of this condition. The effective date for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder remains December 13, 1994.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her service-connected gynecological condition is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating than the current 50 percent assigned since she has already received the maximum schedular rating. Regarding the reopening of her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the claim to be reopened.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date earlier than September 2, 1999, for a 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a left leg laceration. The evidence did not show that it was factually ascertainable prior to September 2, 1999, that the residuals of a left leg laceration were symptomatic to a compensable degree.

The veteran's appeal is denied as she does not meet basic service eligibility criteria for VA educational assistance under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for her service-connected right knee disorder, which was initially rated at 20 percent and later increased to 30 percent. The RO has now confirmed this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right thigh gunshot wound residuals, right hip myositis ossificans, and chronic pain disorder. The veteran's combined rating was found to be 60 percent, which is not sufficient to warrant a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a colon disorder and a bilateral foot disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for prostatitis.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects and the need for compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The evidence shows that the veteran was exposed to combat in Vietnam, which is sufficient to establish a stressor related to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a scalp disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple system disease due to immune deficiency as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no causal relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a fracture of the left zygomatic arch and an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left maxillary antrum, both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for her husband's cause of death due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that it is not as likely as not that his rectal cancer resulted from such exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, left leg; fungus of the feet; and residuals of pneumonia. The right knee instability and degenerative joint disease issues were also addressed but not specified in terms of disposition.