Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's FVC was only 65% of predicted value, which does not meet the criteria for any compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for polyuria as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected atrial fibrillation with cardiac dilation and cardiac hypertrophy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 21, 2018, for the 30 percent rating for service-connected atrial fibrillation with cardiac dilation and cardiac hypertrophy was also denied.

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly develop the appellant's claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits as a surviving spouse. The case is being remanded to allow for further development of evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have authority to review disputes related to contractual payment amounts under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs). The appellant's claim for additional payment was dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's son's request for an extension of his delimiting date beyond February 29, 2020 due to his missionary service. The criteria for eligibility did not meet the specific requirements set forth in VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for malignant neoplasm of the throat was denied because new evidence submitted did not prove or disprove the matter in issue, which is the nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran was granted reimbursement of $450.00 for the 'Certified Ethical Hacking' cyber security course as part of her VET TEC program.

The appeal is denied as there is no legal basis for payment of medical expenses incurred on August 3, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a throat condition was dismissed because the VA Form 10182 was not filed within one year after the January 2017 rating decision, and no extension request was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for frequent urination, including BPH, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that there is insufficient competent medical evidence to decide whether the current disability had its onset during service or was otherwise caused by service.

The Board has determined that the VA's decision on service connection for cause of death was not based on a thorough and contemporaneous medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's congestive heart failure and his military service, including presumed in-service herbicide exposure. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of superior vena cava syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, fibrosing mediastinitis, and hepatic steatosis must be remanded due to deficiencies in the previous VA opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum VA opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it is not within its jurisdiction to review disputes over contractual payment rates for services provided under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).

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 Veteran's Sjögren's syndrome rating was reduced from 100% to 10%, but the Board found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision, restoring the original 100% rating effective October 1, 2010.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition of unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The appeal for the proposed reduction of the disability rating for panic disorder from 70 percent to 30 percent is dismissed. The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder precludes him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The appeal is dismissed because the payment for medical services provided by a non-VA healthcare provider through the Veterans Community Care Program cannot be reviewed by the Board.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have authority to review disputes arising under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs), including disagreements over contractual payment amounts. The appellant's claim for additional payment under a VCA is therefore dismissed.