Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as a retroactive effective date of September 30, 2004, for the award of a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left foot, toe, and ankle pain, and right hip popping. Service connection was granted for chronic constipation with chronic pelvic pain effective October 4, 2000.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his prostate cancer residuals was granted, with an effective date of December 12, 2001. He is now rated at 20% for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chronic residuals of parasitic infection attributable to his service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease was denied. The RO granted a 30 percent evaluation effective from January 12, 1998.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for pelvic fracture residuals, finding that the veteran's condition is currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracic outlet syndrome was denied by the RO. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and determine if a further examination is necessary.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the RO confirmed a noncompensable evaluation for residuals of a laceration of the left ring finger. A noncompensable evaluation was assigned for weakness of the left middle finger and left little finger as secondary to the already service-connected disability involving the left ring finger. The veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractured mandibles and right heel are not supported by the evidence, as there is no indication of a service-connected condition or exposure basis provided in the decision.

The veteran's chronic chest pain of unknown etiology was first chronically manifested in service after his return from the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War, and is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness.

The VA determined that the veteran's right thumb injury does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not result in arthritis or inability to move the thumb. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lung disorder, finding that her residuals of left thoracotomy and wedge resection for histoplasmosis do not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and genital warts, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for RA, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The RO previously denied this claim in April 1994 and the veteran appealed.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of active malaria or its residuals, leading to a denial of the claim for an increased rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's shrapnel wounds of the head and face, effective August 30, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 21, 2001 for awards of temporary total rating (T/TR) under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's macular degeneration was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's request.