Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Seattle VA Health Care System since March 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, finding that his current symptoms are likely due to his exposure to cold temperatures during active duty in Korea.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for service-connected residuals of injury to the left hand is denied as he has had full range of motion of his fingers and thumb since service connection was granted.

The Veteran's Bell's Palsy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 22, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective on that date. The Board found the disability picture more nearly approximated severe incomplete paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve prior to April 22, 2009, but moderate incomplete paralysis since then.

The Veteran's aortic stenosis and heart murmur are found to be related to his service, with the presumption that he was in sound condition at entry into service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cephalgia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the RO.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a bilateral leg disability that is related to his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the appellant's carotid artery disease is asymptomatic and does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for VA burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's keratoconus was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective April 22, 2009.

The Veteran does not have a chronic cough disability attributable to service, including alleged exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis has been characterized by pain and limited forward flexion to 20 degrees at worst, without unfavorable ankylosis. The VA determined that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right leg were rated at 10 percent prior to June 16, 2009 and increased to 10 percent effective June 16, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcers is dismissed as moot because the issue has already been resolved with an initial rating assigned in April 1994. The claim for service connection for Crohn's disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected amputation, distal interphalangeal joint, right index finger is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10% has been denied. A separate rating for limitation of motion of the right index finger is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by head and neck cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis was exacerbated by medications prescribed by VA for his gout, leading to a hospitalization and requiring long-term treatment. The Board is remanding the case for further examination to determine if there are any additional disabilities resulting from this exacerbation.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a Board hearing via video conference.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple organ failure, due to cardioembolism, atrial fibrillation with right hemiplegia and cerebrovascular disease. The cause of these conditions is not related to service.