Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's annual income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was found to have developed during military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left and right leg shin splints were denied as the evidence did not show that his shin splints required treatment lasting more than 12 consecutive months or were unresponsive to conservative treatment.

The Board has determined that the eligibility determination for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and requires further review by the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) as these issues were already adjudicated by a previous decision.

The Veteran's reduction from a 70 percent to a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected cognitive impairment was improper. The Board has restored the 70 percent rating effective July 1, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lymphoma as there was no persuasive evidence showing a diagnosis of lymphoma during his active duty.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal instability/strain with arthritis and chronic right wrist sprain are rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating, finding no ankylosis.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ventral hernia status post umbilical hernia repair. The VA examiner opined that the condition is less likely caused by service, but this opinion was inadequate due to lack of consideration of lay evidence.

The Veteran's surviving spouse had due and unpaid accrued benefits in excess of $6,140 at the time of her death. The appellant is owed these accrued benefits as she paid expenses for the surviving spouse's last sickness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, training, and education. The Board denied VR&E benefits as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an employment handicap.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of air ambulance expenses incurred on July 28, 2020 is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records and provide adequate notice.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 60 percent for service-connected right femoral fracture with patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate loose motion, and thus the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 30, 2020 for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to a resolution in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on September 27, 2023, is granted. The decision finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to the timeliness of filing and grants the claim based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine.

The Veteran's attorney representative did not file the direct-pay fee agreement within 30 days of its execution, thus making the Appellant ineligible for past-due benefits awarded in a May 2022 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow strain, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the VA approved your request for payment of non-VA medical care provided on August 15, 2019. The issue is no longer under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The appeal was dismissed because the issue of payment for non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on February 19, 2020, has been resolved by administrative action.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder with depressive type and multiple episodes, is rated at a 100 percent effective from March 28, 2022. The decision grants the initial rating of 100 percent for his condition.