Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of expenses for medical services provided on February 17, 2020, from MEP Health, LLC is being remanded due to missing treatment records and the need to verify if the claim was filed within the 90-day timely filing limitation.

Your claim of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted by the AOJ, effective April 30, 2021. As a result, your appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including shortness of breath, should be remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to an additional payment for non-VA medical services provided on December 27, 2019, as it is subject to a specific administrative dispute resolution process that does not allow for appellate review by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hoarseness and swallowing difficulties are denied as they are secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis. The claim for constipation associated with multiple sclerosis is granted, but the effective date remains April 1, 2017.,An earlier effective date of January 8, 2021, was assigned for SMC based on loss of use due to complete organic aphonia and constant inability to communicate by speech. The Veteran's claim for statutory housebound SMC is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address a theory of entitlement, requiring a new VA examination for the respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses on November 29, 2021 is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The AOJ must associate all relevant records with the electronic claims file.

The appeal for additional payment of non-VA medical services provided on May 13, 2020 is dismissed because the proper claimant did not file a valid Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral ear infection and a right leg disability due to lack of VCAA notice.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete documentation and potential administrative error, specifically addressing a new statute regarding overpayment due to delay in processing.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left restless leg syndrome (RLS) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, a need to develop toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), and secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 12, 2017 for dependency benefits for her spouse was granted. The decision is based on the submission of a valid marriage certificate within one year of the marriage.

The Board denied the claim for payment of non-VA COVID-19 testing provided by Aegis Sciences Corporation on January 12, 2021 due to lack of prior authorization and failure to meet emergency care eligibility requirements.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for colon polypectomies and ingrown toenails, right and left big toes due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's stomach cancer and his military service, specifically herbicide agent exposure. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is related to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. However, due to a lack of a VA examination on this issue prior to the February 2023 rating decision, the claim must be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for VA home loan guaranty benefits was denied because he did not meet the minimum service duration requirements and his discharge was not due to a service-connected disability.

The appeal was dismissed as the AOJ administratively reversed the denial and approved payment for non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on December 5, 2020.

Your appeal for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot because it is part of a different appeal stream.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joints and multilevel thoracic spine spondylosis are related to injuries during active service, including falls in training and a 1982 parachute jump injury. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.