Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was previously denied in July 1999 due to his diagnosis of an aggressive personality disorder. The RO has now reopened the claim based on new evidence, but it is not clear from the decision whether the new evidence supports or contradicts the previous denial.

The VA is requesting additional medical evidence and conducting further examination to determine the severity of the veteran's Crohn's disease, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for residuals of brain contusion with burr holes, concluding that the effective date should be August 1979 based on the evidence and applicable criteria at the time.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for service-connected psychoneurosis prior to September 1, 1998. As of September 1, 1998, the appellant's psychiatric symptoms are characterized by mild or transient impairment during periods of stress.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for malaria and to reopen his claim of service connection for cellulitis of the left leg. The veteran was not shown to have active malaria or residuals thereof, and no new evidence concerning cellulitis had been submitted since the January 1946 denial.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the appellant's service-connected post-concussion syndrome with frontal headaches, effective from May 19, 2001. The left knee condition is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and 10 percent for instability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia and an ulcer are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for due process reasons, including obtaining a VA Form 646 from his representative and ensuring he has an appointed representative.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals from a back injury and right elbow injuries are granted. The skin disease claim will be addressed in the Remand section of this discussion.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting dorsal spine disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a duodenal ulcer with colitis.

The appellant does not meet the basic service eligibility requirements for VA benefits due to a lack of recognized active service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The veteran's service is not considered active military, naval, or air service for the purposes of VA non-service-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his left (minor) navicular bone fracture residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for filariasis has been denied as there is no evidence of active filariasis, and the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent neuromas of the left foot on a secondary basis, finding that they are proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected left Achilles tendon disability.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for revocation of her right to VA benefits due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final decision. The issue remains undecided as it is not clear whether the appellant had a relationship with MR after 1971.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal conditions were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the prostate as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation was denied because no medical evidence related this condition to his period of military service, including radiation exposure therein.