BVA Case 06-7279: Back

Hunt , through counsel, appeals a BOOKMARK/ September 1, 2005, Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) decision in which the Board denied his claims for service connection for a headache condition, erectile dysfunction, and memory loss, and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a skin condition of the lips and for a low back disability.

at 150-52), and in May 2001, the Board denied his attempt to reopen the back condition claim (R.

The letter informed him that in order to reopen the back disability claim, he would need to submit new and material evidence, and also requested that he should submit various forms of evidence to support his other claims.

309(a) (2003) (regarding chronic medical conditions), and was not service connected on a direct basis.

The Board noted that the appellant was provided notice of the VCAA prior to the initial adjudication of his claims, referring to a letter issued to the appellant in March 2003.

The Board found the March 2003 letter addressed all pertinent elements of the appellant's service-connection claim, and that the letter provided sufficient notice of how to provide new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

Further discussing VA's obligations, the Board found that VA satisfied its duty to assist by gathering all possible relevant evidence and providing several medical examinations (R.

Turning to the merits of the claims, the Board concluded that the appellant was not entitled to service connection for a headache condition, erectile dysfunction, or a memory loss condition.