Other conditions decisions — 2024

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 specific dispute resolution process established by law and regulation, which does not include review by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right eye blindness, service connection for right eye blindness prior to January 13, 2014, and an effective date prior to January 13, 2014 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use. The claims will be remanded for further review.

The claim for service connection for musculoskeletal pain is dismissed because there was no justiciable case or controversy before the Board.

The Veteran underwent a COVID-19 test at a non-VA facility on February 4, 2021. The Board found that the delay in seeking medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health due to the pandemic and concluded that payment for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary condition, including as secondary to hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's urinary frequency disorder was related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has found that the reduction of the evaluations for the Veteran's service-connected right and left hand disabilities based on limitation of motion of the thumb was not proper, and the ratings are restored. The increased rating claims for both hands are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have jurisdiction to review the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical services provided by Methodist Hospitals on September 21, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the propriety of the contractual payment rate for home health services provided by the appellant from February 5, 2020 to February 29, 2020 under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service, particularly exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's spouse is seeking service connection for his fatal cardiopulmonary arrest, which she believes was related to his PTSD and hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no administrative review process for disputes over contractual payment rates under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a contractual payment rate for medical services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) because the dispute resolution process established by law does not allow for Board review.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for skin cancer on the left wrist due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's contentions and lay statements indicate exposure to radiation during military training, which may be associated with his squamous cell carcinoma.

The appeal is dismissed as the claim for payment of non-VA home health care services provided from April 16, 2013, to April 30, 2013, was administratively approved by VA.

The Veteran's appeal for recognition of M.A. as a helpless child was dismissed because she did not include an existing rating decision with her VA Form 10182 (Notice of Disagreement).

The Board has dismissed the claim as it pertains to the propriety of the contractual payment rate for home health services provided by the appellant from January 2020 to April 2020, due to the specific administrative dispute resolution process under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) that does not allow for appellate review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bradycardia and tachycardia may be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's small bowel obstruction with gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran died in April 2017 and the appellant's DIC claim for service connection for the cause of death was granted with an effective date of April 1, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination that did not consider both direct and secondary service connection theories. The Veteran's right foot strain is being reviewed again for proper consideration.