Other conditions decisions — 2007

The veteran's arthritis of the right elbow limits flexion to 120 degrees, causing pain and mild flare-ups that limit function for up to two days. The current 20 percent rating adequately compensates his disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which includes obsessive compulsive neurosis, depressive personality disorder, and dysthymic disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's dermatophytosis is rated at 30% effective July 19, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, entitlement to accrued benefits, and eligibility for nonservice-connected VA death pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her bilateral pubic ramus fracture, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination of the appellant's right foot.

The veteran's death was due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed service-connected based on his status as a former prisoner of war.

The veteran's request for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for semilunar cartilage symptomatology associated with the service-connected residuals of an old fracture of the left patella, effective from August 27, 2003.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current skin disability of the bilateral hands and feet to his active military service, including his time in Vietnam or during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have syringomyelia and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for night blindness, which he claims is not due to or the same thing as myopia. The Board has determined that a VA eye specialist's examination is needed and requests additional information from the veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a lung disorder preexisting service, and there is insufficient competent medical evidence to link the current lung disorder to service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

Service connection for hypertension was granted. For PTSD, a 70% rating is granted from October 15, 2003 to March 17, 2004 and a 100% rating is granted since March 18, 2004.,The veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 70% evaluation between December 22, 2000 and October 15, 2003. Between October 16, 2003 to March 17, 2004, the veteran's PTSD met the criteria for a 70% rating.,Since March 18, 2004, the veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal with traumatic degenerative joint disease and flexion deformity, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board finds that the veteran's Stage III rectal cancer may likely have had its onset during service or the first post-service year, and grants service connection for rectal cancer.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for poliomyelitis and finds that new and material evidence supports a finding that poliomyelitis likely had its onset during active service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 7, 2003, for a 20 percent disability evaluation for residuals of hypospadias, penile.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus, but denied an increased rating for his post traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hiatal hernia is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of medical records.