Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for throat cancer, finding that the condition was not related to military service and more likely due to the Veteran's long history of smoking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for dependency benefits due to lack of evidence of an earlier claim and because the Veteran did not inform VA of his dependents until April 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left oropharynx, finding that there was not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The condition was not related to active military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of the AOJ to follow the order of preference for the appointment of a fiduciary under VA regulations, without valid reasoning. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the termination of nonservice-connected pension benefits was improper due to a change in income from the sale of the Veteran's primary residence, and thus reinstatement of these benefits is granted.

Your appeal has been dismissed because your claim for payment of non-VA medical services was resolved in October 2022 and you were paid.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current left big toe condition is related to service, including a crate of munitions dropping on his foot while serving in Vietnam. However, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim for non-VA ambulance services provided on December 3, 2019 was administratively reviewed and approved. The appellant is in receipt of the benefit sought.

The appeal is denied as there is no legal basis for payment of medical expenses incurred on February 5, 2021.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim of recognition as the Veteran's surviving child for purposes of establishing eligibility for DIC benefits because K.J.J. did not meet the legal criteria to establish status as the Veteran's adopted child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tongue base with neck metastasis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his disability and his acknowledged exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's spouse, M., was added as his dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective March 8, 2022. The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 29, 2017 for the addition of M. as a dependent.

The Board has determined that the decision on eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and requires further review. The case will be remanded to ensure all necessary evidence is considered, provide proper legal notice, and obtain a medically adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100 percent, allowing for service connection for a dental condition for the purpose of obtaining VA dental treatment.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing and to continue the appeal.

The appeal was dismissed as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on December 17, 2020, has been resolved by administrative action.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the VA approved your claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to you on November 6, 2020. The issue is resolved and no further action is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for multiple myeloma is denied as the condition may later present as asymptomatic and would not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's iron deficiency anemia, as secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), was granted service connection effective February 14, 2019. The claimant is seeking a higher initial disability rating for the condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance services provided by North Scott County Ambulance District on April 5, 2019 is remanded due to potential Medicare claims and the need to determine the remaining balance if any.