Other conditions decisions — 2002

The appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision could be made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of clear and unmistakable error in a rating decision of April 6, 1994, which assigned a 10 percent rating for his service-connected prostate disorder. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the earliest possible effective date is August 14, 2001, which was the date of receipt of her reopened claim. The appeal is denied.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right and left total hip replacements, as well as his right peroneal nerve palsy with right foot drop. The ratings assigned were increased or maintained based on the severity of each condition.

The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable error in the January 1975 rating decision which failed to assign a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand, but not for the left forearm.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for fibrocystic breast disease and determined that it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for spondylolysis at L5-S1, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected calluses of both feet, finding that the current evaluations are appropriate based on the medical evidence.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's right inguinal hernia, effective March 29, 2000.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for her pulmonary emboli was denied, and the RO assigned a 60 percent evaluation effective November 1, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a fungal infection of the armpits, groin or ears. The VA also determined there is no evidence to support a service connection for a fungal infection of the feet.

The veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right leg are rated at 40 percent, but his left leg varicose veins and secondary conditions (depression, headaches, transient ischemic attacks with hypertension) were not granted as service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an increased rating and extraschedular rating for his service-connected status post gunshot wound of the right face and left neck with damage of muscle groups XXII and XXIII, finding that the current rating of 30 percent is the maximum provided by the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.