Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was dismissed as he did not file a supplemental claim and the Court dismissed his appeal to the Board.

The Board denied an effective date prior to July 16, 2021, for the award of survivor pension benefits as the appellant's claim was not filed within one year of her spouse's death and due to a delay caused by the VSO.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for VR&E benefits, and the case is dismissed.

The appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for the cost of medical services performed on December 6, 2020 by Aegis Sciences Corporation is dismissed as the benefit has been approved and paid in full.

The Board granted service connection for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on the Veteran's exposure to tactical herbicides, such as Agent Orange, during active service.

The Veteran's travel to a non-emergency dental appointment at Landmark Dentistry on May 25, 2021 was pre-authorized by VA and the services provided were related to the pre-authorization. The Veteran is rated as 100% disabled throughout the period on appeal, meeting the threshold disability requirement for receipt of beneficiary travel benefits.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking his death to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has remanded the case for an adequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's numbness of the jaw was caused by or worsened due to VA treatment, including negligence or unforeseen events.

The Board denied service connection for liver disability and testicular cancer with loss of testis, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to service exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention of radiation exposure during service.

The claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses is being remanded due to the need to obtain relevant EOBs and provide a decision based on all available information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep disturbances, including hypersomnia, may be related to his service-connected disabilities and remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the appeal for payment of non-VA medical services provided on January 26, 2021, as VA did not authorize these services.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of his dependent child, N.A.H.B., due to the one-year waiting period after the start of incarceration and the requirement that a claim be filed within one year from the notice of reduction.

The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective October 28, 2013, based on the Veteran's service-connected endometriosis and chronic constipation making her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in interpreting the 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction' as defined by VA regulations. The case will be reviewed with the correct statutory criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals regarding the termination of VA additional compensation benefits for his spouse and child due to failure to verify their dependency status within the required timeframe.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as missing medical records from Grove Hill Memorial Hospital. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and verify the Veteran's service dates.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of her nasopharyngeal stenosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition is remanded due to the absence of a VA examination. The claim for service connection for a sinus condition remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disability did not result in a combined 100% rating prior to January 21, 2021. Therefore, the earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.