Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left hand/thumb laceration residuals is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The evidence does not support the presence of a current left elbow disability, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to new evidence received since the last final denial. However, there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and the Veteran's condition was not shown in service or within one year thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of cold weather injuries of the feet and toes, as well as residuals of shrapnel wounds, are supported by the evidence. The initial disability rating for left knee disability is granted at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for TDIU, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil resulted in a 10 percent initial rating, effective December 1, 2007. The Board found that his residuals did not warrant an increased rating or separate compensable ratings for other residual symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiomyopathy, and underlying causes (cardiopulmonary arrest, end stage cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure) did not manifest in service. The Board finds that the cause of death is not due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right great toe disorder did not result in additional disability, and the proximate cause of his condition was not due to VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's hand and foot skin disability, specifically bilateral hand paronychia and bilateral feet onychomycosis, warrants a staged increased rating of 60 percent from September 1, 2007 to November 6, 2013. The condition has required constant systemic therapy during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid peptic disease, including on a secondary basis to his service-connected COPD and/or PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain lab results from March 2017. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the issue being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 1, 2011 for dependency benefits was denied as he did not notify the VA of his May 2007 marriage within one year of the event.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of colon surgery, including colectomy and diverticulitis, as there was no evidence linking his current disability to military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for actinic keratosis of the bilateral hands has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has restored the Veteran's T-11 compression fracture rating to 30 percent effective August 6, 2004 and granted a 40 percent disability rating for this condition starting from February 1, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome as secondary to her service-connected dysthymic disorder due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship.

The Veteran's myositis is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's son is requesting a waiver of the penalty assessed for overpayment of educational assistance and housing allowance benefits. The appeal is currently under review due to incomplete information.