Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nodule behind his left ear is granted. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of folliculitis associated with postauricular lymphadenopathy and related symptomatology, which has persisted since military service, is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and pneumonia, but service connection is not granted for these conditions as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and restored his competency status.

The Board has remanded the case due to a potential misspelling of the claimed Veteran's last name and incomplete service department verification. The appellant must provide additional documents for review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a right thigh laceration involving muscle groups XIV and XV was granted, with the effective date being February 2, 1993.

The Veteran's status post bilateral partial oophorectomy and ovarian cyst disability does not warrant a compensable rating as her symptoms have not required continuous treatment.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left elbow disorder, taking into account all relevant evidence including his reports of intermittent left elbow pain. The Veteran is also asked to provide information on any medical providers who treated him for this condition since March 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory condition, including emphysema and pneumonia, did not occur in service or due to herbicide exposure. The kidney failure was also not linked to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's arthritis of the feet is not related to his service and denies the claim.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil and base of the tongue, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to rate his right hip disability in accordance with applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the appellant's claim due to a pattern of willful and persistent misconduct during service.

The VA has determined that there is no positive association between the Veteran's bronchiectasis and exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The Board finds that service connection for bronchiectasis cannot be granted as it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected disabilities were denied. The initial rating assigned was found to be appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hairy cell leukemia, which is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure, was denied as there is no evidence of actual in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected left wrist de Quervain's tendonitis and associated scars have been granted. The initial ratings assigned are as follows: 10 percent prior to January 31, 1986; 10 percent from March 1, 1986 to June 25, 1998; 30 percent from November 1, 2001. The Veteran's scars have been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of both feet are severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current basal cell carcinoma and his active duty service, including any potential Vietnam-era herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, characterized as macular degeneration, was not incurred or aggravated by active duty and is not due to a service-connected disability.