Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heat stroke is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the July 2017 denial. The Board finds that this new evidence, including a September 2021 buddy statement, is relevant and may prove or disprove the element of an in-service event.

The appeal for DIC benefits was dismissed due to the appellant failing to follow VA's claims processing rules by submitting a Request for Higher-Level Review of a decision that already had a Higher-Level Review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of mood disorder due to known physiological condition with depressive features is denied. The effective date remains at August 14, 2017, which was the date service connection was established for fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hip conditions, finding that the earliest date of entitlement was March 10, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for basic eligibility for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship was dismissed as there are no remaining questions of law or fact to address.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease resulting in the removal of upper and lower teeth is denied. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran meets eligibility requirements for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VHA had already authorized payment for the medical services provided by the appellant on January 11, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VHA had already authorized payment for the medical services provided by the appellant on December 31, 2020.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to burn pits during his service in the Gulf War theater of operations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Aegis Science Corporation on February 2, 2021, as it was governed by statutory and contractual authority that does not allow for review by the Board.,The administrative action resolved in favor of the appellant regarding payment of non-VA medical care provided by Aegis Science Corporation on October 19, 2020.

The appeal is dismissed as the VA payment process for medical services provided by a non-VA provider within the Veterans Community Care Program does not allow for Board review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer and colon cancer have been dismissed. The claim for TDIU based on symptoms of colon cancer is remanded.

The Board has determined that the eligibility decision for participation in VA's PCAFC program is legally inadequate and requires further review. The Veteran was found not to meet the basic medical eligibility criteria under PCAFC, but the reasons provided by the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) are unclear and unexplained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for uterine prolapse is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eye disability, thus denying the appeal.

The Board has granted a separate, 10 percent rating for right lower extremity posterior nerve dysfunction associated with service-connected tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's symptoms were moderate and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for the cost of medical services performed on July 28, 2020 by Aegis Sciences Corporation is dismissed as the benefit has been approved.

The Board has determined that the appellant requires regular aid and attendance due to her mental and physical disabilities, including dementia, vision loss from macular degeneration, arthritis, and weakness in upper arms. The decision grants an increased rate of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) based on this need.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is denied because the appellant was legally divorced from the Veteran at the time of his death, and there is no evidence that she lived with him continuously until his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it does not have jurisdiction to review the contractual payment rate for medical services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA).