Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the claims for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), accrued benefits, and service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because the evidence did not show he required regular assistance from others due to his service-connected disabilities, nor that he was substantially confined to his home.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his January 2022 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was untimely filed, as it was not received within one year of the May 24, 2010 notice of the July 1990 VA decision.

The appeal is denied as there was no VA authorization for the non-VA medical services provided on December 14, 2021.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182 with respect to the June 2021 rating decision notification letter, and good cause has not been presented.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the addition of P. C., a dependent child, to the Veteran's VA disability compensation award because the RO received the claim to add P. C. as a dependent on November 30, 2021, and payment began December 1, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected vertigo caused his fall and subsequent quadriplegia. The Veteran is seeking compensation for C6-7 quadriplegia with loss of bowel and bladder function, which may be secondary to his service-connected vertigo.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed skin condition.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal is denied as there was no VA authorization for the non-VA medical services provided on March 15, 2021.

The Board has determined that the VA properly withheld $15,465.60 in military separation pay from the Veteran's disability compensation benefits as required by law.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for atrial fibrillation is denied as there was no prior communication or evidence of entitlement before June 30, 2021.

The Veteran's application for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship was denied due to his education program not being an eligible program under the scholarship. The Board finds a remand is required to confirm if the Veteran has earned a post-secondary degree in a field referred to in 38 U.S.C. § 3320 (b)(4)(A)(i) and is enrolled in a program of education leading to a teaching certification.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for residuals from a cold weather injury to both feet due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding military personnel records. The Veteran's service in Germany is not confirmed, and additional efforts are needed to obtain his military personnel records.

The Board has granted retroactive SMC benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another, effective June 26, 2020. The Veteran's claim was pending due to a lack of specific evidence and his failure to submit an application form.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of stroke residuals, as secondary to PTSD, due to insufficient evidence and need for a medical opinion.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for residuals of hernia repair. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The appeal is dismissed as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on February 12, 2020, has been resolved administratively.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to it. A VA medical opinion is needed to address these issues.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the VA approved payment for your dental services provided on May 21, 2019.