Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 1, 2020 is granted because his abdominal condition was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health. The denial letter did not reference whether a VA facility was available, and given the geographical distance from the Veteran's home, it was determined that VA facilities were not feasibly available for treatment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding whether her former spouse was properly removed from her VA compensation award and entitlement to a waiver of overpayment due to the retroactive removal of a dependent spouse and reduction in VA benefits due to incarceration.

The Board remands the claims for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Mary Washington Health Care on May 30, 2020 and May 31, 2020 due to missing records.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA medical services provided on January 22, 2019, has been resolved administratively and is now moot.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for ambulance transport to a non-VA facility on November 18, 2022. The Board finds that the AOJ did not consider all relevant evidence and remands the case for further action.

The Board found that the severance of special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss was proper, and remanded several issues related to service connection for bilateral mastectomy with lymph node removal and postoperative residuals of gynecomastia.

The Board denied the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on January 19, 2021, and February 9, 2021, as these services were not authorized by VA.

The Veteran's SSS is not due to herbicide exposure or service-connected disabilities. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial decision and insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance transportation services on November 27, 2022 is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is found to be at least as likely as not related to environmental exposures during service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to burn pits. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Board denied the spouse's eligibility for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) because the Veteran was not service connected for any disability or combination of disabilities rated at 70 percent or more during the applicable appeal period.

The Veteran's son, J.R.M., is not eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery because he did not meet the eligibility criteria as an adult child who became permanently disabled and incapable of self-support before age 21.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on January 25, 2021, as there was no VA authorization for such services.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the service connection for multiple myeloma. The Veteran's claim is related to his exposure to volcanic ash during Operation Fiery Vigil in the Philippines.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits for the Veteran's helpless child, CAM.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to October 14, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and prior to July 11, 2015, for the increased evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a government-furnished headstone or grave marker due to lack of qualifying active military service in the Armed Forces, and thus ineligible under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed pancreatic cancer, finding that it is causally related to his exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune and herbicide agents during his service.

The appeal for payment of the cost of non-VA emergency medical services provided on November 6, 2019, is dismissed as the claim was administratively approved.

The Board denied the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on August 17 and 24, 2021, as these services were not authorized by VA.