Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to service connection for right foot pain and left foot pain due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance transportation on December 8, 2023 is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and potential Medicare coverage. The AOJ will need to determine if the ambulance services were covered by the Veteran's other health insurance (Medicare Parts A and B).

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there was no service-connected disability at the time of his death, and his congestive heart failure is not related to his military service. The DIC claim is also denied due to lack of total disability rating for more than one year prior to death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right eye vision impairment as there is no current disability and the evidence does not show a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, staggering, and falling down due to conflicting evidence in the record regarding whether a current disability exists. The Veteran is required to undergo an additional VA examination to clarify this issue.

The Board has decided that the claim for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Henry Ford Health System on February 11, 2020 is remanded due to missing records and incomplete documentation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot conditions, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses related to a VA medical facility on May 31, 2024 is being remanded due to the lack of information regarding his income status and other eligibility criteria. The claims file must be updated with any relevant documents and the Veteran should be asked to complete an appropriate VA form regarding his income and medical expenses.

The Veteran is granted a Level 2 stipend under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to her need for supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis as determined by VA assessments.

The Board granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $28,947.00 due to financial hardship and inability to meet basic needs.

The appeal for payment of non-VA medical services provided by Henry Ford Health System on November 30, 2020 is dismissed because the care was authorized through the Veterans Community Care Program and governed by contractual authority that does not allow for review by the Board.

The Veteran's surviving spouse requested the withdrawal of her appeal for accrued benefits, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The appellant is seeking to have his wife buried at a VA national cemetery based on her eligibility. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further clarification of the service member's active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for eligibility to benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to inadequate medical opinions and a potential legal error in interpreting the criteria. The VA will consider any new evidence submitted after the VHA decisions on appeal.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Steward Sebastian Medical Center on June 1, 2020 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the nature of his emergency condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed esophageal cancer, specifically related to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

The Board has granted service connection for shin splints in both the right and left extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The appeal is dismissed as the AOJ administratively approved the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on September 9, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including a potential claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.