Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim, and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the AOJ made errors in its decision and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bruxism and cracked/fracture teeth #15, #19, #20. The Veteran's claim is now pending again.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits because his service did not meet the minimum active-duty service requirement, and he was not discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the file is incomplete and notification letters are legally inadequate, leading to a remand for further action.

The Board has determined that the decision on eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is remanded for an adequate medical decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and regulatory error in denying the survivor's pension claim. The Appellant was not notified of what evidence she needed to provide, as her only source of income was Social Security benefits.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed multiple myeloma may be related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel. The case will be sent back for a medical opinion.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for an unrepairable sternum, finding that the Veteran's current bullous lung disease is more likely than not related to his military service and a severe blunt chest trauma he experienced during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence demonstrating that his service-connected conditions render him unable to perform basic self-care activities.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the VA Health Administration (VHA) administratively authorized the care on February 20, 2020, and directed the Appellant to resubmit the claim for payment.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's Means Test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2019 was not proper and has remanded the matter for further action.

The Veteran's adult son, who was married in 1997 and separated from his wife for seven to eight years, is denied recognition as a helpless child for VA survivor's pension due to the fact that he was still legally married at the time of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for adenocarcinoma of the colorectal area and dysplasia polyp due to a lack of VA examination, and the need to obtain medical records from identified practitioners. The Veteran's service connection claim is based on exposure to radar equipment during active military service.

The Board has determined that the recoupment of special separation benefits (SSB) from VA disability compensation was proper, and thus denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is not adequate and requires further review by the AOJ. The AOJ must obtain a medical opinion from CEAT regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services based on specific criteria, readjudicate the eligibility under appropriate criteria, and provide the Veteran with complete notice of the decision.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's Means Test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2019 was not proper and has remanded the matter for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need to review the validity of the debt, including whether it was properly created.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. The matter is being remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.