Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's pneumothorax (collapsed lung and reduced capacity) following a VA biopsy was not caused by any fault on the part of VA, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to determine the Veteran's net worth and countable income for pension benefits, as his SSA benefits include Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Veteran needs clarification on his household expenses and income.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the May 2024 decision on appeal. The AOJ needs to verify the appellant's active duty military service and obtain relevant records from potential repositories, including the U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) educational assistance benefits, finding no evidence that prevented him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education.

The Veteran's eligibility for higher level PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to inadequate notification and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board will consider the evidence of record, including recent correspondence from the Caregiver, and obtain a legally adequate medical decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further review of the character of discharge determination, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's mental state at the time of his misconduct and issuing a new character of discharge determination under revised VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for clarification of the legal standard regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's disability rating for residual(s) of left lower extremity weakness is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant's claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to their deceased relative has been granted by VA's Office of Community Care.

Your appeal for service connection of a hold in left lung has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of your appeal.

The Veteran's service in the United States Army Reserves for at least six years, including active duty for training, qualifies her for VA loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was dismissed as there has been no decision by VA with respect to his continued enrollment in the program.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as there is no specific error of fact or law identified.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty-to-assist and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's conditions are adjustment disorder with depressed mood, persistent, and alcohol use disorder, severe, in early remission. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on whether these conditions were caused by military service or if they are secondary to his service-connected lower back pain.

The Board has granted TDIU and basic eligibility to DEA for the period beginning September 9, 2011. However, as these benefits have been fully resolved in favor of the Veteran, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's travel expenses to the Seattle VAMC were denied as reimbursement was limited to the nearest VA facility, which in this case was the Southeast Las Vegas VA clinic.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for eye floaters, blurred vision, and eyes sensitive to light due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's death did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits, including a plot/interment allowance or transportation expenses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and for a dental condition for treatment purposes, finding that he did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The appeal seeking payment for non-VA medical services provided on November 4, 2020 has been dismissed as the claim was resolved through an administrative action.