Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for insomnia and restless leg syndrome have been granted. The Board found that the persuasive evidence supports that the Veteran's insomnia began during her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it does not have jurisdiction to review disputes arising under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) regarding contractual payment rates for home health services provided by non-VA facilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hip conditions as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to incomplete examination and duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted due to his permanent loss of use of the left hand, which meets the criteria established by VA regulations.

The appeal is denied because the non-VA medical services provided on February 9, 2021 were not authorized by VA and thus there is no legal basis for payment.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma and trauma related disorder was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the period from March 4, 2020. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating effective March 4, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an effective date of November 13, 2017, for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for his heart block and DEA benefits. The appeal is also remanded for further action on the CUE motion and for a scar-specific examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided by the appellant on December 21, 2020, January 8, 2021, January 18, 2021, and February 4, 2021 as these matters are governed by statutory and contractual authority that does not allow for review by the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability and remanded his claim for service connection for a sinus disability due to potential toxic exposure during service.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate, is not service-connected as it was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking the prostate cancer to military service and determined that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of information in the file regarding his previous VA home loan and whether it was paid in full, which affects his eligibility for a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a VA loan guaranty. The AOJ needs to conduct further development and provide clarification.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for payment of $250.00 for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses associated with COVID-19 testing performed by Aegis Sciences Corporation on February 1, 2021, and February 8, 2021.

The appellant's appeal for accrued benefits is dismissed as the Veteran had a pending claim at the time of his death, and she was recognized as the substitute claimant to process the Veteran's claims. The appellant's rights as a substitute are greater than those for accrued benefits, so her accrued benefits claim is moot.

The appeal is dismissed as the issue of payment for non-VA dental services provided on October 11, 2019 has been resolved by administrative action.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses on February 17, 2021 is dismissed as the underlying issue was resolved during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer, finding that it manifested within one year of the appellant's separation from active service in August 1972 and there have been subsequent manifestations during the appeal period. The other issues on appeal are being remanded.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and whether he has ever had dysphagia, which could affect his disability rating.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service in Vietnam.

The appeal as to the denial of the claim for entitlement to specially adapted housing remains and is dismissed due to improper form use.