Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board granted an effective date of August 18, 2015, for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as his dependent to his award of VA disability compensation.

The appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA homemaker services provided by the appellant from December 3, 2019 to December 30, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her spouse as a dependent was granted on July 8, 2020. The initial payment date began August 1, 2020.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for a right hip disorder (limited flexion) was not proper, and the 20 percent rating is restored effective January 19, 2022. The Veteran's increased rating claim for a right hip disorder is also remanded.

The appeal is denied as the non-VA medical services provided on August 5, 2021 were not authorized by VA and thus no legal basis for payment exists.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating in excess of 0 percent for inguinal hernia as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the creation of a debt due to processing delay was improper and granted the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for paresthesia and chronic constipation due to inadequate VA examination reports and opinions. The AOJ will obtain new examinations and medical opinions.

The appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for the cost of medical services performed on February 4, 2021 was dismissed due to lack of legal authority for the Board to decide such matters.

The Board remands the case for an examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot condition is related to service, as new and relevant evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for basal cell carcinoma, finding that there is no evidence of one characteristic of disfigurement.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of medication copays, including those from March 2023, is remanded due to missing documents and unclear jurisdiction. The AOJ needs to obtain relevant medical records and determine if the care was emergent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, finding that his March 2019 VA Form 9 was timely filed and assuming jurisdiction over the underlying claims. The issues of service connection for PTSD and chronic worsening of PTSD are decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA benefits was not timely filed and was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that his current condition is not related to service and no medical evidence supports a link between his current hallux valgus/bunion and any injury or disease in service.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA dental services provided on August 8, 2019, has been resolved administratively and is now moot.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the characterization of his service-connected psychiatric disorder as including schizophrenia, undifferentiated type.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and eligibility for DEA benefits, as there was no evidence that a formal or informal claim was filed within one year of the Veteran's intent to file in September 2019.

The Board has determined that the notification of the decision was legally inadequate and there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being remanded for proper legal notice and an adequate medical decision.

The appeal for payment of the cost of non-VA medical services provided on October 30, 2020, has been resolved administratively and is now moot.