Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic bilateral breast abscesses has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 13, 2018, for the award of service connection for crush injury, intrinsic group VII muscles, left forearm has been dismissed because he did not file a Notice of Disagreement with the AOJ decision.

The appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for concurrent payment of both compensation benefits and NSC pension benefits is denied. The matter must be remanded to determine if the Veteran's request for an extension of the delimiting date for his Chapter 30 benefits was timely filed, and whether such a request should result in an extension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for respiratory issues, bilateral upper extremity (BUE) peripheral neuropathy (PN), and PN, RUE due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other conditions.

The appeal is dismissed because the medical expenses were approved by VA and paid in December 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right hip strain with degenerative joint disease have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

Your claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted and effective since February 18, 2022.

The Board has determined that the notification of the decision was legally inadequate and there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being remanded for proper notification and an adequate medical decision.

The Board has dismissed the claims for payment or reimbursement of non-VA care provided on May 25, 2019, at Hale Ho'ola Hamakua Hospital (HHHH) due to VHA's approval and reversal of initial denials.

The Board has granted service connection for a neurologic disorder of the right upper extremity, finding that it is related to in-service exposure. Service connection for polycythemia was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the October 2021 decision denying eligibility for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is legally inadequate and requires further development. The Veteran was not provided adequate notice regarding the basis for the denial, and a new medical determination from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) is needed to address whether participation in PCAFC would be in his best interest and if he meets the eligibility criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to link his current condition to an in-service incident. The examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by potential sun exposure from performing military duties.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address service connection for food allergies and TDIU claims, as the VA failed to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran is challenging the creation and validity of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits. The Board has decided to remand this issue for further investigation into the underlying financial information regarding any overpayment.

The Veteran's niece is not eligible to pursue service connection for the cause of his death. The hernia and abdominal tumor claims are remanded, as well as the claim for burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's right hip conditions are related to service, toxic exposure during service, or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for trigeminal neuralgia, finding that it did not meet the criteria to establish service connection and was not a MUCMI.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.