Other conditions decisions — 2024

The appeal for the cause of the Veteran's death is dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no administrative review process for disputes over contractual payment rates under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim was resolved in favor of the appellant through an administrative action that approved payment for medical services provided on January 23, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for cause of death due to glioblastoma associated with herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides likely caused his glioblastoma and thus contributed to his death.

The Board denied the appellant's request for eligibility to be buried in a VA national cemetery due to his service being classified as active duty training (ACDUTRA) and not meeting the legal criteria for veteran status.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to his service-connected blindness was denied because he does not require aid and attendance on a factual basis.

The AOJ denied the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of evidence showing he needed continuous personal care services. The Board is remanding the case to provide proper notice and correct any errors in the decision.

The Board has granted the claims for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided on July 23, 2019, and August 13, 2019, under CHAMPVA as they were timely filed.

The Veteran's initial rating for GVHD affecting the skin and maculopathy with keratopathy, cataracts, and pseudophakia remains at 60 percent. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for bilateral dry eye syndrome. TDIU is granted from September 1, 2023.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's left foot gout, which is claimed as left foot pain. The Veteran was treated for left foot pain in January 2016 during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA Form 21-4142 for Dr. R.C., who is the Veteran's private physician treating his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper notice about what evidence is needed to support the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no administrative review process for disputes regarding the contractual payment rate for services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA). The appellant's disagreement with the reimbursement amount was resolved through an administrative dispute resolution process.

The appeal for payment of the cost of non-VA emergency medical services provided on March 28, 2020, is dismissed because a partial payment was already approved.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pancreatic cancer, which is claimed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The cause of death issue is held in abeyance as it is intrinsically intertwined with the above-noted issues.

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

The Veteran's request for a waiver of the recovery of overpayment of VA benefits was denied because it was not timely filed.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, base of tongue (throat cancer) due to exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible and corroborated assertions that he was exposed to residual radiation while stationed at Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands from August 1961 to August 1962.

The Veteran's lymphoma (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia) is granted as service connected due to exposure to AFFF during active duty.

The appeal was dismissed as the claim for payment of medical services provided on January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020 has been resolved by administrative action.