Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's CLL was found to be not causally related to service, specifically exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The claim for service connection for CLL under the direct theory of service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death, attributing it to the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals. The appellant is now entitled to benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for primary lateral sclerosis is granted as it is a variant of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which can be presumed due to his 90-day period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot condition preexisted service and was not permanently worsened during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome of the left little and ring fingers, hand, and forearm is currently rated at 20 percent effective from the date of claim. The initial rating for his left elbow olecranon bursitis was also granted.

The case is being returned to the Board for further development due to a recent change in representation and scheduling of hearings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed onychomycosis is aggravated by his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a higher 20 percent rating for the residuals of a gunshot wound of the right little finger with retained foreign bodies, finding that the disability is tantamount to an amputation with metacarpal resection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for seborrheic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current skin conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left great toe and left hallux valgus are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The claims for higher ratings have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye retinal detachment was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent for each knee, and the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $420 was solely due to VA administrative error and not the Veteran's fault, thus it is invalid.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left thigh, knee, and ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the service connection claim for Huntington's disease as there are outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file. The Veteran may need to provide additional evidence or authorization for these records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant during its pendency.

The Board found that the appellant's substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus denied her claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation benefits for his dependent spouse is granted to August 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his chronic right foot pain and gout are related to the February 2009 arthrocentesis of his right knee performed by VA.