Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's widow's request for an earlier effective date for DIC, stating that she did not have apparent entitlement to pension or dependency and indemnity compensation at the time of her husband's death in November [REDACTED], 2017. The widow submitted a claim for DIC on December 17, 2020, which was granted effective August 24, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed without prejudice due to his death, and the case is now pending for substitution of the spouse as the appellant.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy for decision due to the reversal of the initial denial and approval of the non-VA care provided by SCH on April 22, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) and dismissed the claim for bruxism as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and for additional development of records, including VA treatment records. The Veteran's heart disorder is currently diagnosed as supraventricular ectopy (premature atrial contractions).

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided at Memorial Hermann Hospital on December 29, 2020 was denied because he had not received VA care in the 24 months prior to the emergency treatment.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the claim for reimbursement of home health services was not timely filed, as per a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) dispute resolution process that does not allow for appellate review by the Board.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for cancer of the lymph nodes of the neck and squamous cell carcinoma of the right tongue.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for specially adapted housing, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has decided that accrued benefits and a survivor's pension are denied, and service connection for cause of death is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's colon cancer.

The Veteran's death precluded initial eligibility for PCAFC benefits, and the appeal is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's auditory processing dysfunction is related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel, which the Board found sufficient for service connection.

The Veteran's eligibility to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits under the Transfer of Entitlement program was denied due to his involuntary separation from service, which resulted in the rejection of his application for unused Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits.

The Veteran's right corneal transplant and deviated septum/breathing problem are being remanded for further review due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for skin cancer. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which require regular assistance from another person.

The Board has restored the Veteran's sliding hiatal hernia rating from 10% to 30%, effective December 1, 2021, as there was no sustained material improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scars status post left foot neuroma with residual numbness is being remanded due to the need for a full examination considering any nerve disorder of the left foot/toes and other left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome, status post submuscular transition of left ulnar nerve with a cubital tunnel decompression, has not been found to warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 30 percent rating from August 18, 2022.