Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeal for payment of non-VA medical services provided by the appellant on October 31, 2020 under a Veterans Care Agreement as it is subject to specific administrative dispute resolution process that does not allow for appellate review.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient information to make a decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot condition. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the Veteran's left foot disabilities, including osteoarthritis and healed deformity of the toe shown on April 2022 x-ray, pain causing functional loss, and gout.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for ulcerative colitis has been dismissed as withdrawn. The appeal was also dismissed for the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for payment of non-VA dental services provided on December 15, 2020, as this matter was resolved by administrative action.,The Board denied the claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on March 8, 2021, due to a lack of VA authorization.

The appeal for additional payment of non-VA medical services provided on November 30, 2019 is dismissed because the claim was filed by a billing company that did not furnish the underlying medical services.

The appeal is dismissed as the VA has administratively approved payment for non-VA emergency medical services provided to the Veteran on July 20, 2020.

The Veteran's sebaceous cyst, left occiput at the hair line, is not rated compensable. A separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar due to the sebaceous cyst from December 7, 2021, has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cerebral amyloid angiopathy was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar back strain, residuals of right hallux valgus, chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees, and left bunion deformity status post bunionectomy with arthritis of the left foot. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating for hypersomnia and a TDIU due to his service-connected idiopathic central nervous system hypersomnolence syndrome. The reasons include uncertainty about whether accommodations provided by his employer are extraordinary or beyond those required by the ADA, and the need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary 100 percent disability rating for aortic heart valve replacement is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the March 2022 RO decision and any additional evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA dependency compensation benefits was due to an administrative error and has been resolved. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and potential changes in law.

The Veteran's chest cyst is remanded for a VA medical opinion to assess its relationship to service, including toxic exposure during military deployments.

The Veteran's TMJ disorder is granted as service connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on December 28, 2021, January 18, 2022, and February 15, 2022 due to a lack of pre-authorization by VA.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes due to a lack of evidence submitted after the April 2018 decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the November 2022 decision denying eligibility for benefits under VA's PCAFC program is legally inadequate and requires further development. The Veteran was not provided with a thorough medical opinion to support his denial, which may have been based on an inability to perform activities of daily living or a need for supervision or protection.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a lower back condition and right fifth toe due to procedural defects in filing their respective claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep disturbances due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence that has been submitted when the claim is readjudicated.