Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left lower extremity disability, including a cold weather injury. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate VA examination and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal regarding a change in his copay eligibility category, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as per VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right thumb and elbow disabilities have been denied. The right thumb disability is currently rated at 10% since September 22, 2015. The right elbow disability was initially rated at 10%, then changed to 30% effective September 25, 2019, and subsequently back down to 10% thereafter.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Cleveland Kidney and Hypertension Consultants, Inc. were denied payment or reimbursement by VA due to the claims being filed past the 90-day deadline.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, finding that there is no evidence of a compensable dental condition. The Veteran's teeth were re-implanted in service and are not considered missing or replaced.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VHA had already authorized payment for the medical services provided by the appellant on December 18, 2020.

The Board's decision addressing the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses, including those incurred on June 6, 2019, and September 3, 2019, is vacated due to a lack of VA determination. The appeal is dismissed as there has been no determination by VA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TMJ disability may be related to his service-connected sleep apnea, but more evidence is needed for a definitive decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his cerebrovascular accident, which caused his visual field defect.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, but denied service connection for athlete's foot and frozen feet. The Veteran was found to have symptoms consistent with other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder due to in-service events, while the evidence did not support a diagnosis of athlete's foot or frozen feet.

The Board has determined that the medical evidence is insufficient to resolve whether the Veteran has or had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during the appeal period. The case is being remanded for further clarification of the Veteran's diagnoses and a determination regarding service connection.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence that warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for an autoimmune disorder, including Wegener's granulomatosis, vasculitis, arthropathy, sensitivity to cold, and loss of two fingertips. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on Aid and Attendance/Housebound Status was denied. The appellant, the surviving spouse, is now recognized as the substitute party to pursue this claim.

The Board has granted the veteran's application for accrued benefits to cover $10,502 in expenses related to L.H.'s last sickness and burial. The claim was timely filed as VA accepted and adjudicated it on the merits.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for special home adaptation and specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's waiver request for an overpayment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nonservice-connected (NSC) pension benefits was timely filed, and the appeal is remanded to allow for further adjudication.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the contractual payment rate for medical services provided to a veteran under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) due to the dispute resolution process established by law not allowing for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ventricular hypertrophy, finding that new and relevant evidence supports this decision. The Veteran was previously denied service connection due to a pre-existing condition, but the February 2019 VA examiner concluded that both conditions are likely incurred during active service.

The Veteran's request for higher cost training for a MBA degree at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin was denied as there are other facilities within reasonable commuting distance that offer similar programs at lower costs.