Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice under the VCAA, and the veteran's claim for service connection for duodenal ulcer remains pending.

The case is being remanded to the RO due to the need for additional medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals caused or contributed to his death.

The Board found that the reduction of the 50 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss was proper, and assigned a new 20 percent rating effective January 1, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's initial injury of a fracture of his right 4th metacarpal healed in good alignment and there were no current objective clinical indications of limitation of motion, arthritis or ankylosis. Therefore, the criteria for an initial compensable rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the right lung are not related to his service-connected bronchial asthma and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's dementia was not caused by his service-connected gunshot wound to the head. The VA denied claims for dependency and indemnity compensation, increased evaluation, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for toenail onychomycosis (a chronic fungal infection of the toenails) incurred during active duty. Service connection is denied for a sinus disorder and any other skin condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for malaria is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic rhinitis, diagnosed in service and present since then, is related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including providing VCAA notice as required.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a chronic acquired disorder of the left lower extremity linked to service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, including SSA records. The appellant's claims of increased rating for dysthymic disorder and TDIU are intertwined.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional benefits for a dependent spouse was denied as there is no evidence of notification regarding the October 1978 change in law, and retroactive benefits are not allowed. The effective date remains March 1, 2001.

The veteran's shell fragment wounds of the right and left popiteal regions are rated at 10 percent each, reflecting moderate impairment.

The RO granted service connection for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and assigned a non-compensable rating effective May 2001. The veteran appealed the initial rating, requesting an increased evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found no current diagnosed condition related to the veteran's claimed head and left elbow injuries, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective March 16, 2000.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of a right eye disorder and is granting it.

The Board found that the veteran's current thoracic spine disabilities were incurred during military service and granted his claim for service connection.