Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for blood clots of the right leg is remanded due to unclear claims and a need for clarification from the Veteran. A new opinion is required regarding the etiology of any right leg blood clot or vein condition, including whether it is related to his active-duty service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The appeal as to the timeliness of a July 2019 VA Form 9, filed in connection with a September 30, 2015, rating decision, is dismissed due to procedural defects and no additional benefit remains to be awarded.

The Veteran's child requested an extension of their delimiting date for Chapter 35 DEA benefits, but the Board denied this request as it was not made within one year from the end of the delimiting date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied. The effective date remains November 15, 2021.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding contractual payment rates for home health services provided by a non-VA provider in February and March 2020, as these disputes are subject to specific administrative procedures under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) that do not allow for appeal by the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other trauma and stressor related disorder from February 28, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in rating for renal condition is remanded due to inadequate examination and missing medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically limitation of flexion, is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the evidence showing limited range of motion but no ankylosis or instability. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent was also denied.

The appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA home health services provided by Mennonite General Hospital from February 4, 2020, to February 28, 2020, has been dismissed as the issue has already been resolved in full by administrative action.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to the need for further investigation into his foreign service and potential presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted the claim for payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred for transporting a Veteran to a private hospital via ambulance in October 2020, based on favorable findings made by the VA Office of Community Care.

The appeal is dismissed as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran has been granted.

The appeal regarding the apportionment of VA disability compensation to the Veteran's estranged spouse was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, including gram negative bacteremia, paraplegia, tracheostomy or intracerebral hemorrhage is related to his service-connected migraine headaches condition. The matter is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice and explanation for the denial of the claim, including the criteria necessary for payment under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 or 38 U.S.C. § 1703.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for inguinal hernia were dismissed because he failed to follow the claim processing rules.

The Board denied a higher rating for a mixed bony lesion of the right humerus, finding that the Veteran's primary complaints were pain, weakness, and limitation of motion, which are already addressed by his existing 20% rating for shoulder bursitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia, finding that new evidence received since the last final decision supports this determination. The Board also found that the criteria for chronic disease presumptive service connection are met.

The Board denied the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on February 11 and 25, 2021 due to lack of VA authorization.

The Board has decided that the character of the appellant's discharge from active military service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits, but the AOJ must investigate whether there is evidence showing an upgrade in his discharge classification by the appropriate service department.