Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has ordered an audit to clarify the creation and recoupment of overpayments, as well as to address when VA owes the Veteran versus when she is owed by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in its previous decision, specifically regarding the VR&E program records. The AOJ is required to provide a clear accounting of the Veteran's Chapter 31 benefits and explain all derived amounts used in preparing the September 2021 audit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected skull fracture, specifically for the periods September 17, 2002 to August 30, 2007 and August 31, 2007 to August 20, 2014. The remand is due to the need for obtaining outstanding medical records from private providers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for his right knee disabilities. The right knee disability prior to November 21, 2019, does not warrant an increase in rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's foot conditions, specifically pes planus and arthritis. The examiner is required to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or preexisted service.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation based on B.B.'s school attendance from June 2015 to December 2015 is denied as the evidence does not support that B.B. attended school during this period.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating for a left thumb disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disabilities, other than skin cancer, as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acute left-hand contusion.

The Veteran's death was not recognized as a surviving spouse due to the appellant and the Veteran being divorced at the time of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right hand small finger limitation, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment of nonservice-connected (NSC) death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rates.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his fracture of the left zygomatic arch was denied because he failed to appear for a VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is rated at 70 percent, which grants an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one needs to be conducted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his rectal cancer to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for recognition of L. as a 'helpless child' of the Veteran due to lack of jurisdiction in the legacy system.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's osteoarthritis, particularly in relation to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's discharge was due to unsuitability for basic training, not a service-connected disability. Therefore, he is denied VA home loan guaranty benefits.