Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee conditions, including suprapatellar bursitis, degenerative joint disease and synovial osteochondromas, are not due to an injury or condition incurred during active service or any period of inactive duty for training. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for mashed feet, right hand tendon laceration, pancreatitis, and degenerative disc disease of the low back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The appellant is not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to a mental or physical condition, as she was diagnosed with poliomyelitis and schizoaffective disorder but has been able to perform activities of daily living and receive support from family members.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise and concludes that service connection for cold injury residuals, including Raynaud's phenomena and onychomycosis, may be granted.

The Board denied service connection for a rash under the arms and on the groin, finding no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the right third and fourth metacarpals are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms such as pain, cramping, and weakened grip strength.

The Veteran seeks service connection for skin cancer, specifically basal and squamous cell carcinoma, which he claims is related to herbicide exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancers.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, which he claims is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left leg fracture are not rated higher than the current 30 percent, as there is no evidence of nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace. The right leg disability claim was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits and her request for burial benefits because she did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to December 22, 2004. The appellant also failed to provide proof that she reimbursed her brother-in-law who paid the full funeral expenses.

The Veteran has been granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals from a cerebrovascular accident with left arm paralysis, as the care provided by VA on August 16, 2004, was indicative of lack of proper skill or error in judgment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran seeks an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected mechanical lower back pain. The case is REMANDED to the RO for consideration of additional evidence and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot Morton's neuroma, post-operative was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Crohn's disease, including ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seronegative inflammatory arthritis and tonsil condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left lower extremity and foot with secondary degenerative joint disease of the first toe and hammertoe deformity of the fifth toe.