Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating or show that such requirements would have been met but for clear and unmistakable error in a previous VA decision.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot, effective September 12, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current generalized arthritis is related to symptoms in service diagnosed as rheumatic arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran incurred a shell fragment wound to his left heel during service and has current residuals. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received and issues needing further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), currently rated at 30 percent. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent evaluation in April 1995, but did not address whether the increase was warranted within one year of that decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent inguinal hernia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's appeal was untimely and thus denied her claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC).

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded to the RO for specific actions including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to inadequate evidence of improvement in his condition following femoral bypass surgery.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant as he did not have a service-connected disability that met the eligibility requirements.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a right thumb injury and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a disability resulting from trauma to the testicles is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's loss of sense of smell is related to an injury sustained during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms as manifestations of undiagnosed illness. The appeal is currently remanded for additional evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to notification issues and potential VCAA compliance.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pleurisy did not result in any material pulmonary impairment and was not responsible for his current lung disability, which is primarily due to COPD. Therefore, a compensable evaluation for pleurisy was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for cellulitis of the right foot, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected post-operative gastric resection with vagotomy for duodenal ulcer and Billroth II anastomosis with dumping syndrome, currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling.

The veteran's representative submitted an informal claim for additional benefits for a dependent child, SAS, on May 22, 1997. The effective date of the award was granted as June 1, 1997.