Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's right foot disability, including the loss of use as of June 28, 2013, is currently rated at 40 percent. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to that date remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his acquired psychiatric disorders, including intermittent explosive disorder and a personality disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted an effective date prior to June 1, 2009 for the grant of service connection for cold injury residuals affecting both lower extremities. However, the Veteran's claim that there was CUE in earlier decisions regarding service connection for cold injuries of the hands is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected Crohn's colitis, and for obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent perianal abscesses with hidradenitis suppurativa of the groin area is rated at 30 percent, effective from November 8, 1999. The RO found that these conditions are so closely related and resolved reasonable doubt in favor of rating them together.

The Veteran's CLL was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Service connection for CLL on a direct basis is denied.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder was previously rated at 50 percent prior to November 22, 2006. Since then, the disability has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's head and bilateral arm tremors were not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA examinations have consistently found the Veteran to have essential tremor, a condition that was not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of current fungal conditions of his feet being related to service, including use of communal showers. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding a nexus between any current condition and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disorder is not etiologically related to his service, and it is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claimed residuals of cold injury to the hands and feet are not considered to have begun in service or be otherwise related to any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic lung disability due to service or any other event or incident, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as he was not bedridden or unable to care for himself due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current neurological condition or nerve damage related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the validity of the overpayment amount and its calculation, as well as determine if a waiver of the overpayment is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining private treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cardiac disability. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered after full development.

The Veteran's right thumb arthritis, characterized by chronic pain and decreased strength and motion, was found to be manifested primarily by a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and the fingers. The disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to February 16, 2011, and at 10 percent from that date through February 9, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bowel urgency with increased bowel activity was initially rated as noncompensable prior to February 24, 2010, and subsequently granted a 10 percent rating effective from that date. The Board found the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for a left hip strain and right hamstring condition. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.