The veteran's claim for additional compensation benefits based on dependent children was received in September 2003, and the effective date of October 1, 2003, is assigned as the first day of the month following the submission of evidence. The veteran is not entitled to increased benefits prior to this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 1, 2002 for increased disability compensation benefits based on dependents. The veteran was awarded a combined disability rating in excess of 30 percent in November 2000 and was entitled to additional compensation for dependents if he provided evidence within one year after the qualifying rating decision. He submitted evidence of his dependents, two children, in early November 2002, which expired the one-year period for increased benefits based on dependents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.