Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has denied the reduction of the total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability, effective October 1, 2005. The issue regarding a change in vocational rehabilitation training program remains pending.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for urticaria with angioedema, the maximum available under VA regulations, effective from the date of service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer with metastases in the pelvis and prostate, as a result of exposure to herbicides, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the June 2003 retropayment of death pension benefits was proper, and thus denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability for accrued benefit purposes.

The veteran's claims for residuals of fractures of the left and right fibula were denied. Service connection was granted for degenerative disc/joint disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, but a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran's hiatal hernia/GERD claim was granted.

The veteran's bacterial meningitis, cerebrospinal fever, with left leg weakness is manifested by muscle atrophy and sensory disturbance. The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for this condition.

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.