The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 21, 1996 for dysthymic disorder and denied his increased evaluation claims. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation prior to September 3, 1998 for varicose veins of the right leg, post-operative ligation and stripping, and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from September 3, 1998 for varicose veins of the right leg, post-operative ligation and stripping were withdrawn by the veteran.

The deciding factor: The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 21, 1996 was denied as he did not appeal the RO decision regarding dysthymic disorder. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for left shoulder arthritis.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Dysthymic Disorder","diagnosis_date":null,"additional_notes":"Manifested with subjective complaints of decreased motivation, some inability to work due to sleeplessness, depression, and physical pain. Impaired short-term memory with mood and depression; continued to work part-time, pursue hobbies, and maintain friendships and marital relationship."}, {"condition_name":"Degenerative Changes of the Left Wrist","diagnosis_date":null,"additional_notes":"Manifested with constant pain, fatigue, swelling, and numbness. Bilateral wrist disability showed arthritis with considerable limitation of motion; separately rated for degenerative changes involving the left and right hands."}, {"condition_name":"Degenerative Changes of the Right Wrist","diagnosis_date":null,"additional_notes":"Manifested with constant pain, fatigue, swelling, and numbness. Bilateral wrist disability showed arthritis with considerable limitation of motion; separately rated for degenerative changes involving the left and right hands."}, {"condition_name":"Duodenal Ulcer","diagnosis_date":null,"additional_notes":""}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 18, 2006

Citation

0601527