Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for somatic symptom disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of SSD and that any symptoms are not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's son is not considered a 'child' for VA purposes and does not meet the criteria to receive accrued benefits due to his mother, as he was over 18 at her death. The claim for reimbursement of living expenses paid to his mother's assisted living facility in the final months of her life has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for gout due to a lack of medical opinion at the time of the November 2022 rating decision. The Veteran's lay statements and VA examination are considered in making the determination.

The Veteran's son, the Appellant, filed a claim for accrued benefits due to paying final expenses (funeral and burial) on his father's behalf. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that the Appellant bore any of these expenses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neurogenic bladder as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The appeal is dismissed as the VA has administratively approved payment for non-VA medical services provided on June 16, 2020.

The appeal is denied as there is no legal basis for payment of medical expenses incurred on March 5, 2021.

The Board has determined that the overpayment in the amount of $36,443.96 was improperly created due to a retroactive reduction in the Veteran's combined rating and therefore grants the challenges to this overpayment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and incomplete medical evaluations, particularly regarding the July 2018 heat stroke episode and subsequent syncope episodes.

The Veteran's breast cancer is remanded for further evaluation and clarification of her Reserve duty status during the relevant period.

Your appeal for disability due to unemployability has been dismissed because you requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for VA payment of medical services provided on February 28, 2019 was denied because the claim was not filed within 90 days after the treatment and there is no evidence that the Veteran pursued payment from a third party.

The appeal is denied as there is no legal basis for payment of medical expenses incurred on August 16, 2021.

The Veteran's challenges to the creation of his overpayment based on a spousal adjustment are granted because he was not properly notified by VA.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran due to her marriage, finding that she is not eligible under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis, finding that the Veteran's diverticulitis is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for retroactive recognition of his children J., R., and O. as dependent children for purposes of additional compensation benefits based on school attendance between 18 and 23 years of age due to the preclusion of dependency benefits after these children elected to receive educational assistance under Chapter 35.

The appeal seeking attorney fees based on a past-due benefits decision in July 2017 is dismissed as the AOJ has not issued a Summary of the Case regarding this matter.

The Board has determined that the April 2024 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate due to an insufficient medical opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT). The Veteran's eligibility was based on a determination of lack of need for personal care services, which was not adequately supported by evidence. A new medical determination is required.

The appeal is dismissed as the VA has already administratively approved the appellant's claim for payment of medical services provided to the Veteran on November 24, 2020.