Other conditions decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of left foot fracture with history of bunionectomy and hallux valgus repair prior to January 22, 2009, and since that date have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic ENT infections are related to service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's varicose veins are currently rated at 40 percent disabling effective April 28, 2010. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 17, 2010 and 20 percent as of March 17, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) due to exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's arthroplasty of the right fifth toe has been rated as noncompensably disabling since August 30, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the nature and extent of her disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the medical evidence does not support a finding that any service-connected condition contributed to his death.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left eye disability, as the Veteran's current assertions are cumulative to previous claims and do not show an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a benign pelvic lipoma and chronic left leg venous insufficiency, as secondary to the benign pelvic lipoma. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any current right leg disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bladder incontinence is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right eye retinal detachment condition is due to a blunt force trauma he experienced during his period of service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a right eye injury.

The Board has found that further development is required regarding the Veteran's flat foot deformity and degenerative bone disease claims due to incomplete service treatment records. The case is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining STRs, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to accurately determine the Veteran's income and thus, whether a debt of $34,300 was properly created by overpayment of VA non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction is not deemed to be related to the VA treatment he received on February 7, 2005. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting a link between his surgery and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for blindness in the left eye, as no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her request for withdrawal.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a trigeminal neuralgia during service or due to any incident in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for traumatic amputation of his right index finger was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a claim prior to June 15, 2006. The proper effective date is therefore June 15, 2006.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's complete loss of taste and a 10 percent rating for his complete loss of smell, finding that these conditions are significant enough to warrant such ratings based on their impact on the Veteran's daily life.