Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of esophageal adenocarcinoma was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran died in December 2020 and was not service-connected for any disabilities. The Board found that the criteria for nonservice-connected burial death benefits have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on April 19, 2023 due to a lack of VA authorization for such services.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it pertains to the issue of entitlement to additional payment for non-VA dental treatment services provided by the appellant on July 27, 2020. The decision states that the process for billing and payment is governed by contractual agreements within the Veterans Community Care Program.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on October 30, 2023 was denied because he did not meet the legal requirement to be an active VA health-care participant within the 24-month period preceding the treatment.

The appeal was dismissed as the VA administratively approved payment for non-VA emergency medical services provided to the Veteran on December 10, 2019.

The appeal was dismissed because the VA Medical Center approved payment for the non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on December 20, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary or urinary frequency condition, finding that it is not related to any service-connected disability and specifically not secondary to his diagnosed hypertension.

The Veteran's residual of the tibia and fibula is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for ankylosis of the knee.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the bilateral eye disorder began during active service or is related to any in-service injury.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on recurrent or well-supported by a truss or belt.

The Veteran's service-connected Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) caused him to need personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or who provides such services under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for higher level SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's pension benefits were reduced and then reinstated based on newly discovered unreported income. The effective date for the adjustment of his pension benefits to $1,075 monthly is February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's representative, J.J.P., appealed the October 2019 decision awarding attorney fees to his former attorney, R.L. However, since the Veteran has already paid J.J.P. his fee, J.J.P. requested that the appeal be withdrawn.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for an adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for an adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her left and right leg conditions have been dismissed because she has already received compensable disability ratings in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will require a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any sacroiliac conditions.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because it does not have authority to review disputes arising under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs), which is a specific administrative dispute resolution process for non-VA providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dementia is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for this condition.