Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran's myocardial infarction and its residuals are granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1151 due to the delay in diagnosis caused by VA.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia was denied as the change in law regarding this disease is applicable and it became effective on October 16, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to bone cancer metastasis, finding no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition. The veteran's non-service-connected malaria was not found to be contributory to his death.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for atrial fibrillation has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral heel disability. The RO denied this claim in August 2003, but the Board has decided to remand it due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any heel disorder found on examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not have post-traumatic stress disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lobectomy, left lower lobe, residuals of bronchiectasis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and new-and-material evidence to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of chemical burn injuries to both eyes. The left wrist disability was not ankylosed, the right ring finger disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and there is no indication that the right zygomatic arch disability affects other digits or interferes with overall hand function.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins of the right leg, and as a result, the claim is granted.

The veteran's residuals of cold injury to both feet are manifested by complaints of chronic pain and cold sensitivity, with nailbed deformity and loss of protective threshold. The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for each foot.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's left knee osteochondritis dissecans was incurred during active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's loss of vision in his left eye was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error. The event (endophthalmitis and retinal tears) was reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sterility and there is no evidence linking any disability to service, including exposure to radiation. Therefore, service connection for sterility as a result of exposure to radiation is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability (osteochondroma and chondromalacia) and right knee disability (chondromalacia). The conditions are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for multinodular goiter with prominent nodule associated with radiation exposure is being remanded due to the need for a dose assessment of ionizing radiation exposure during his military service.