Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for total right hip replacement for aseptic necrosis with chronic right hip strain and arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected urinary tract infection with prostatitis, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right arm, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's patella femoral syndrome of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for xerosis and secondary pruritus due to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and his spine disabilities, are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO. The case will then be reviewed by the RO and returned to the Board.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins and gingivitis, finding no evidence of these conditions during his active duty. The claim for new and material evidence regarding hearing loss was also denied as there is no indication of a current disability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected arteriosclerotic occlusive disease of the left distal femoral popliteal artery, effective from November 9, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's painful callus on his left heel is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for a back injury.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of fracture, right fourth metacarpal, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his disability warrants such a rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a local hearing before a Member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals as soon as practicable.

The VA denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for psoriatic arthritis in both feet, effective from the date service connection was established.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and an increased evaluation for his psychotic depressive reaction.

The Board has granted an increased initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected post traumatic stress disorder, and denied a higher rating. The compensable rating for residuals of malaria remains unchanged. A separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for the veteran's left shoulder scar.

The Board has determined that the appellant's dysthymic disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for NHL from 100 percent to 10 percent, effective April 1, 1997, was proper. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of an Ommaya shunt placement is referred back to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, which includes somatization disorder with hypochondriasis, is rated at a 100 percent evaluation. The effective date for this rating is August 27, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his right hand fracture and for reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for an ulcer disorder. The appeal was not addressed due to other issues involving the veteran.