Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of his discharge. The issue is not about service connection, but rather the character of the appellant's discharge.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a ruptured right ear drum as there were no pending claims and no valid supplemental claim was filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right lower extremity nerve condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's request for Higher-Level Review of the reduction of disability compensation benefits due to a period of incarceration following a felony conviction was timely filed. The AOJ will need to remand this matter and adjudicate it under the proper review lane.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it pertains to a payment dispute for non-VA medical services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement, and the applicable statute and regulation do not allow for Board review of disputes related to VCA payments.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it does not have jurisdiction to review the claims for payment of non-VA medical services provided by appellant on August 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lower extremity disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy. The examiner is requested to provide a new examination and opinion addressing whether the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including conceded toxic exposure in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for Duane's syndrome with amblyopia due to a duplicate docket number.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum, finding that the condition pre-existed active service but did not worsen during service. The Veteran's current disability is linked to symptoms noted in active service.

The Veteran's left hip ratings were reduced due to actual improvement in her condition, as evidenced by the VA examinations conducted after she was pregnant.

The Board denied the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on February 20, 2021, and February 25, 2021, as these services were not authorized by VA.

Your claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted and effective as of November 23, 2020. The appeal is dismissed because the benefit sought has already been fully granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected conversion disorder with somatic symptoms was denied. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 1, 2020, and only warranted a 30 percent rating from July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, meeting the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to active duty or any service-connected disability.

The appeal is dismissed as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided from February 7, 2020, to February 20, 2020, has been resolved administratively by the VA AOJ.

The Board has determined that there may be an error in the calculation of the overpayment and is remanding the case to allow for a review by VA. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with regard to the validity of the debt.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for decreased night vision, blurred vision, dry eyes (now claimed as punctual stenosis, eye disease) has been granted. However, the appeal is dismissed because a full grant of benefits was already made in a previous decision.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the pre-decisional record and requires additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's left eye vision loss was due to VA care, negligence, or lack of proper skill.

The Board has found that there are gaps in the Veteran's VA medical records, particularly from December 2013 to present. The Board also noted inconsistencies in previous examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed right thumb injury and bilateral toe onychomycosis. Therefore, the Board has ordered a remand for further development.